The National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) is advocating for the recognition and titling of additional ancestral domain lands for Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Negros Oriental.

Virginia Espante, NCIP – Negros Oriental provincial chief, said Wednesday that five of the 19 areas recommended for ancestral domain recognition in the province have already received Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs).

These areas are located in Basay, Bayawan City, Bais City, Canlaon City and Mabinay.

“I am happy to share that since we arrived here in 2001, we now have Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles for the ICCs across the province,” Espante said in an interview.

She said three IP groups have been documented in Negros Oriental – the Ata or Negritos, Bukidnon and Bukidnon-Magahat – with a combined population of about 35,000.

The five CADTs cover about 37,000 hectares of forestland.

Espante said 14 other areas are still being processed for ancestral domain titling, noting that the process is lengthy because IP communities must submit documentary and other evidence to substantiate their claims.

She also warned the public against fraudulent transactions involving individuals or groups falsely claiming to represent IP communities.

Some of these groups allegedly collect money in exchange for certifications and other documents that are supposedly required for employment or other transactions, while others claim authority to issue certifications and titles for ancestral domain lands, she said.

Meanwhile, ICCs and IPs in the three congressional districts of Negros Oriental are holding separate activities this October to observe National Indigenous Peoples Month, coinciding with Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.

A provincial culmination activity is scheduled on Oct. 29 in Bayawan City, with PHP600,000 in funding from the local government, Espante said. (PNA)