16 May | The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson and NCIP Region XIII conducted Ancestral Domain (AD) Leaders engagement meeting with the Banwaon Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) from San Luis, Agusan del Sur; at the Agusan Del Norte Provincial Training Center, Capitol Grounds, Butuan City.

 

The NCIP Chairperson led the activity along with NCIP XIII Regional Director Ordonio P. Rocero, Jr.; while Elders and Tribal Leaders represented Banwaon ICCs/IPs; also present were, Pastor Balbino Andaya Chairman of Banwaon Manobo Talaandig Tribal Council (BAMATA), representatives from 26th Infantry Battalion (IB) Philippine Army (PA), and NCIP Regional and Provincial employees. The rest joined the meeting through Zoom.

 

The discussions tackled concerns on sectoral ownership and Indigenous People Structure (IPS) within Certificate Ancestral Domain Title (CADT)-079, located at San Luis; and the declaration of Mr. Bryan Thomas as persona non grata in CADT-079 and in the province of Agusan del Sur.

 

NCIP Chairperson recommended a healing and reconciliation dialogue between Datu Mansulonay and Pastor Andaya – using their IP customs and tradition, with the assistance of 26th IB, PA; the result of the dialogue will be key in determining sectoral ownership via sectoral survey. As to the case of Mr. Thomas, the NCIP XIII Regional Office will write a letter to the Singaporean investor of Project Caraga Group Inc., the company of which Mr. Thomas is affiliated, regarding the status of the resolution issued against him.