On February 16, 2022, Xavier Science Foundation organized a Global Land Tool Network – Secure Access to Land and Resources Sharing of Best Practices and Lessons Learned forum titled, “Consolidating the Application of Innovative Land Tools for Promoting the Land Rights of Smallholder Farmers in the Philippines” held at the Margarette Hotel, Maramag, Bukidnon.
Participants and representatives from partner IPOs and Barangay Local Government Units attended to share their best practices and lessons learned to the Indigenous Peoples community in advocating for tenure security in Northern Mindanao. The forum aimed at presenting how the efforts of the Secure Access to Land and Resources (SALaR) initiative in Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon, Philippines strengthened their tenure security.
Datu Herminio Guinto, a local leader from NAMAMAYUK discussed how enhancing the land tenure security is important to the survival of the IP communities. Hon. Vilma Liboon, a BLGU representative from Nabaliwa, talked about how the Certificate of Customary Land Occupancy (CCLO) that was facilitated through participatory enumeration and STDM enhanced tenure security and reduced the conflict within their community.
Hon. Myrna Soria, a BLGU representative from Bacusanon shared how the customary rights that were achieved through land use plans strengthened their tenure security. Datu Richard Dawatan, a local leader from PTTA testified how collaborative engagement can foster partnership. Marlon Polinda, a Youth Enumerator, emphasized how involving women and youth can ensure the sustainability of the interventions. Lastly, to further strengthen the goal of the forum, John Gitau, a GLTN representative, presented how the SALaR experience helped Uganda and Laos.
This learning exchange hopes to promote the land rights of smallholder farmers; and with the involvement of the local government unit, the project hopes for these best practices to be integrated in the policy discussions.#
