XSF, ANGOC & GLTN explores IPO’s land tenure link to food security
 NAMAMAYUK IPO in San Guinto, Bacusanon, Pangantucan with representatives from XSF, ANGOC and GLTN |
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Xavier Science Foundation, Inc. (XSF) in collaboration with the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) and Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC) with their focus in reducing poverty by linking land tenure and securing food security visited two (2) Indigenous Peoples communities in Pangantucan, Bukidnon particularly the Nagkahiusang Manobong Manununod sa Yutang Kabilin (NAMAMAYUK) at Sitio San Guinto, Brgy. Bacusanon, and the neighboring community of Portulin Talaandig Tribal Association (PTTA) in Brgy. Portulin last February 10-11, 2018.
The main agenda of discussion was on the IPO’s land tenure security, particularly on the current status of their documentation, governance, the resources therein and the partner agencies working with them. NAMAMAYUK and PTTA are just two of the many IP groups who have posted claims on ancestral domains. For nearly two decades, these groups have longed to receive the much anticipated Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) that would allow them tenure security over their lands. Studies showed that land, for the indigenous peoples, is more than just an economic asset or commodity, it is rooted with self-identity, personal security, faith, culture, livelihood and self-governance.
In the discussion, the interlink of land tenure and food security abound with various factors are highlighted with the point that the IPs remain as one of the most under-represented sectors in the governance of the Philippines. Laws governing over them are not instituted in a manner by which they, as a community, are not entrusted with the right to manage their domain limiting their ability to fully access the resources within and perform economic activity as livelihood.
NAMAMAYUK and PTTA continues to struggle for their rights to the land. Through the XSF-EcoSEED 2 project, these two IPOs along with five (5) others within the mountain range of Kalatungan in Bukidnon, are provided with the capacity through trainings with knowledge and skills enhancement as well as necessary support to create meaningful economic opportunities that would address the concurrent problem on food security and poverty.
The visit ended with a positive outlook for the two communities. XSF together with its partners will create project activities to support the IPs in the hope that they be granted the rights over their ancestral lands.