SAGADA, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE– Indigenous forest practices remain to be customary and unwritten despite the recognition of customary practices following Administrative Order 01 of 2008 between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
And because of unlegislated customary forestry practices, indigenous peoples are apprehended and charged with violating forestry rules if they are caught cutting trees. Felled trees and lumber are confiscated by the DENR by virtue of PD 705.
Here in forested Mountain Province, the municipalities of Besao and Tadian have already drafted their respective draft ordinances in accordance with the joint DENR-NCIP AO-01 of 2008 pending approval.
Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Christopher Bosaing in a press conference here last week said Besao officials forwarded their intent to present their draft ordinance to the provincial DENR office for the necessary comments and endorsement before the Sangguniang Bayan of said LGU shall submit the draft ordinance to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for approval.
Assumed to have been the first in piloting the ‘batangan’ code, Sagada is still formulating its draft ordinance.
Documented customary practices of Saliok and Madukayan in Paracelis have yet to be endorsed by the NCIP pending the required free prior and informed consent (NCIP) of the communities covered.
Local forestry practices in accordance with the joint DENR-NCIP AO is applicable to areas with tenured status. Besao, Tadian, Sagada, Saliok and Madukayan have their respective certificates of ancestral domain claims (CADCs).
CADC/CADT-less municipalities of Bontoc, Sabangan, Bauko, Sadanga with their ‘saguday’ and ‘lakon’ practices are wanting of documentation of their customary forest management practices.
With the non -legislation of municipal local forestry code in towns, the enforcement of PD 705 practically results in the arrest of those who cut trees for firewood, housing, customary rituals, and furniture.
PD 705 provides that lands 18 degrees in slope and over are considered forest reserves practically making the whole Cordillera a forest reserve.
Earlier, recognition of customary practices on harvesting of forest products were major concerns of civil society organizations during the pioneering Peoples Day conducted by the provincial office of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources September last year.
Getting apprehended for “illegal logging” and vegetable farmers contaminating springs and domestic water supply in watersheds were major concerns posed during said event.
DENR assistant regional director for technical services Agosto Lagon said DENR recognizes the rights of indigenous communities and follows procedures stating that the implementing rules and regulations of said Joint NCIP-DENR AO N0 1 of 2008 should be in place.**Gina Dizon
