MALAYBALAY CITY — The Department of Agriculture – Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office 10 (DA-MIADP RPCO 10) presented its inclusive agriculture development project for the Council of Elders of Bukidnon Tribal Association Ancestral Domain (CEBUKTA AD) to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park En Banc Meeting on May 8, 2025. The presentation aimed to secure PAMB clearance for the project’s implementation.
CEBUKTA AD is a key partner of DA-MIADP. A significant portion of the AD lies within the buffer zone of the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park. Securing a clearance from PAMB is a necessary step to fortify DA-MIADP’s project implementation within the AD.
Led by DA-Regional Field Office 10 Regional Executive Director and MIADP RPCO 10 Project Director Jose Apollo Y. Pacamalan, the presentation highlighted the project’s commitment to sustainable and inclusive agricultural development benefitting the partner Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of CEBUKTA AD while upholding environmental regulations. RED Pacamalan emphasized the DA-MIADP’s commitment not only to obtaining PAMB clearance but also to actively involve the board in bringing the much-needed development to these communities. “We recognize that agricultural support to the indigenous communities is long overdue. We are not just here to ask for clearance; we are asking the support of the PAMB so everyone will be part of the process in bringing long-awaited development to our IP communities,” said RED Pacamalan during the meeting.
The proposed vital subprojects, including a Farm-to-Market Road (FMR), a Level II Potable Water System (PWS), and a Multi-Commodity Warehouse, are anticipated to significantly boost agricultural activity and improve the quality of life for the ICC/IPs within CEBUKTA AD through inclusive agricultural development.
PAMB Chairperson and DENR-10 RED Felix M. Adornado expressed his appreciation for the comprehensive presentation and conveyed his support for the project’s objectives of bringing development to the ICCs/IPs while respecting environmental safeguards.
Adding to the positive sentiment, Valencia City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Julius M. Parian affirmed the strong support of CLGU Valencia for the MIADP project.
Concerns were raised by Datu Bagusayana Johnny Bayawon Guina, Chairperson of the Council of Elders of Mt. Kalatungan, centering on a specific portion of the proposed FMR subproject, questioning whether it encroached upon another Ancestral Domain. Datu Bagusayana expressed his hope for a formal resolution with the Pigsabuwahan hu Tribu ta Kalatungan Kaglambaga, a coalition of ICCs from the 21 barangays surrounding the Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park to ensure the project proceeds without conflict and with the full acceptance of all concerned communities.
The Pigsabwahan is scheduled to convene on May 15, 2025, at Lake Napalit in Pangantucan. Datu Bagusayana hopes to include in the discussion the DA-MIADP project and formalize a resolution on MIADP’s activities in the CEBUKTA AD.
In light of the upcoming meeting, RED Adornado initiated the crafting of a provisionary resolution for the PAMB clearance of the MIADP project. This provisional clearance is contingent upon the outcome of the Pigsabwahan meeting, determining the future of this significant project in CEBUKTA AD.
Even after obtaining PAMB clearance, DA-MIADP will still comply with all other necessary environmental clearances, including securing an Environment Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the DENR, before commencing project implementation. DA-MIADP remains steadfast in its mission to uplift the quality of life of the marginalized ICC/IPs through inclusive and sustainable agriculture development.
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘈-𝘔𝘐𝘈𝘋𝘗 𝘙𝘗𝘊𝘖 10’𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦!
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