The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in the Caraga Region (NCIP-13) lauded the approval of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) applied by the Manobo indigenous communities in Loreto town, Agusan del Sur province.

In a statement on Wednesday, NCIP-13 bared that CADT No. 265, which covers around 91,129 hectares of ancestral land of the Manobo tribe in Agusan del Sur, was approved during the NCIP en banc session on Tuesday.

“The Manobo tribe of Agusan del Sur emerged triumphant after more than 20 years of struggle for recognition of ownership of their ancestral land,” NCIP-13 said.

In particular, the agency cited NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, who presided over the en banc session that discussed in detail the tribe’s supporting documents for the recognition and approval of their ancestral home.

In the same statement, NCIP-13 Director Ordonio Rocero Jr. said the CADT approval was witnessed by Manobo leaders who joined the deliberation over Zoom.

The tribe, led by Baylan Antonio Liway, also performed a ritual during the deliberation, joined by the tribal leaders, Manobo clan members, and the Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives from the various IP communities in Agusan del Sur.

The approved CADT covers Barangays Nueva Gracia, Violanta, Maitom, Sto. Tomas, San Vicente, San Isidro, San Mariano, Sto. Nino, Kauswagan, Sabud, Mabuhay, Ferdinand, Bugdangan; and portions of Barangays Poblacion, Magaud, Sta. Teresa, Waloe, Kasapa I, Johnson, and Binucayan, in Loreto town.

The title also covers portions of Barangays Bataan and Panagangan in La Paz town and sections of Barangays Anitap, Sawagan, Bacay II, Don Mateo, Sta. Cruz and Caigangan in Veruela town. (PNA)