“Nature Conservation in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors”

Proceedings of the First National Conference on Indigenous Community

Conserved Areas (ICCAs) in the Philippines

NCPAG Assembly Hall University of the Philippines Diliman

Quezon City, Philippines 29-30 March 2012

Editors Edna Estifania A. Co, DPA

J. Prospero E. de Vera III, DPA Ma. Faina Lucero-Diola, DPA

Portia P. Silang

Nature Conservation in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors Proceedings of the First National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) in the Philippines ISBN Catalogue Number Published by the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG) and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Global Environment Facility (GEF). All rights reserved. No part of this book/publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission from the UNDP-GEF, PAWB and UP-NCPAG. © Copyright 2012 by United Nations Development Programme In all documentation, information, signage, and written and oral communication, this project will be referred to by the title "Nature Conservation in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors: Proceedings of the First National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) in the Philippines." This project is funded by a grant from the GEF. Printed in the Philippines Editors Edna Estifania A. Co, DPA J. Prospero E. de Vera III, DPA Ma. Faina Lucero-Diola, DPA Portia P. Silang Writers Ma. Heliza Gay C. Ariola Corinna Frances O. Cabanilla Herisadel P. Flores Prejean Prieto Don Jeffery A. Quebral Allan Grand A. Sobrepeña Videographer and Photographer Vincent Silarde Charlie Cabotaje Dennis Sacorum UP System Information Office (SIO) Editorial Staff Jayson D.P. Fajarda Mercedita M. Miranda Ma. Cristina Aguinaldo

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TTTTTABLE OF CONTENTSABLE OF CONTENTSABLE OF CONTENTSABLE OF CONTENTSABLE OF CONTENTS

List of Acronyms

Opening MessagesDr. Edna Estifania A. Co,

Dean, UP-NCPAGMr. Renaud Meyer,

Country Director, UNDPDr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias,

Executive Secretary, UN Conventionon Biodiversity

Hon. Alfredo E. Pascual,President, University of the Philippines

Hon. Ramon J.P. Paje,Secretary, DENR

Hon. Aquilino Martin ‘Koko’ D. Ll. Pimentel III,Senator, Republic of the Philippines

Conference OverviewBackgroundConference ObjectivesProgramme

The Subnational Workshops on ICCAs

Conference Highlights

ICCAs: International and Local PerspectivesICCA: an International PerspectiveICCAs from the Philippine PerspectiveThe Global Registry as Protection

of ICCAs Against ThreatsThe NewCAPP: Philippine Initiatives on ICCAs

Session One: Role of Support Organizationson Indigenous Peoples, ICCAs and Conservation

NCIP: Empowering the IPs at All FrontsCHR: Upholding IPs’ Rights within their ICCAsDENR: Expansion of Biodiversity Conservation

through ICCAsFPE: Financing Biodiversity Conservation

and the ICCAs

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Tebtebba Foundation: Advancing FurtherRecognition of the IPs

The ICCA Consortium

Session Two: Presentation of Results ofthe Subnational Workshops on ICCAs

ICCAs Across the CountryConcerns on ICCAs

Moving Towards ICCA InsitutionalizationGuiding Principles and Action Plan:

Products of Multisectoral CollaborationRising Up to the Challenges: Issues

and Concerns of ICCAsThe Way Forward: Future Directions for ICCAs

Session Three: Statement of Support for ICCAsSpanish EmbassyEDCWorld BankADBIFADDENR-PAWBPTFCFGIZ

The Manila Declaration on ICCAsDatu Vic SawayDatu Ed BandaMs. Elsa Dioayan

Responses to the Manila DeclarationRep. Lorenzo R. Tanada IIINCIP Chairman Zenaida PawidUNDP Programme Associate Grace Tena

Closing RemarksBae Helen PojarasDENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio

ANNEXESANNEX A – Map of ICCAs in the PhilippinesANNEX B – Photos form the National ConferenceANNEX C – Directory of National Conference ParticipantsANNEX D – Convenors’ ProfileANNEX E – Profile of Speakers (??)

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List of AcronymsList of AcronymsList of AcronymsList of AcronymsList of Acronyms

AD - ancestral domainADB - Asian Development BankADMP - ancestral domain management planADSDPP - Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development

Protection PlanAECID - Spanish Agency for International Development

CooperationAFP - Armed Forces of the PhilippinesAPMI - Australasian Philippine Mining, Inc.ASEAN - Association of Southeast Asian NationsAZE - Alliance for Zero ExtinctionCADC - Certificate of Ancestral Domain ClaimCADT - Certificate of Ancestral Domain TitleCALT - Certificate of Ancestral Land TitleCAMC - Climax-Arimco Mining CorporationCAR - Cordillera Autonomous RegionCBD - Convention on Biological DiversityCCA - community conserved areaCCC - Climate Change ConventionCHR - Commission on Human RightsCLOA - Certificates of Land Ownership AwardsCOP - Conference of the PartiesCSO - civil society organizationDAR - Department of Agrarian ReformDBM - Department of Budget and ManagementDENR - Department of Environment and Natural ResourcesDILG - Department of Interior and Local GovernmentECOSOC - Economic and Social CouncilEDC - Energy Development CorporationEU - European UnionFPE - Foundation for the Philippine EnvironmentFPIC - free, prior and informed consentFTAA - Financial and Technical Assistance AgreementGEF - Global Environmental FacilityGIZ - German Institute for DevelopmentIBA - important bird areaIBAT - Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool

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ICC - indigenous cultural communityICCA - indigenous community conserved areasIEC - information and education campaignIFAD - International Fund for Agricultural DevelopmentIKSP - indigenous knowledge, skills and practicesILO - International Labour OrganizationIP - indigenous peoplesIPO -indigenous peoples’ organizationIPRA - Indigenous Peoples’ Rights ActIUCN - International Union for the Conservation of NatureKASAPI - Coalition of Indigenous Peoples OrganizationsKBA - key biodiversity areasLC - local communityLGU - local government unitMAB - Man and Biosphere ProgrammeMGB - Mines and Geosciences BureauMOA - Memorandum of AgreementNBSAP - National Biodiversity Strategy and Action PlanNCIP - National Commission on Indigenous PeoplesNEA - National Environmental AgendaNEDA - National Economic and Development AuthorityNewCAPP - New Conservation Areas in the Philippines ProjectNGO - nongovernmental organizationNGP - National Greening ProgramNIA - National Irrigation AdministrationNIPAS - National Integrated Protected Areas SystemOGPI - Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc.PA - protected areaPAFID - Philippine Association for Intercultural DevelopmentPAMB - Protected Area Management BoardPAWB - Protected Areas and Wildlife BureauPCW - Philippine Commission on WomenPES - Payment for Ecosystem ServicesPNP - Philippine National PolicePO - peoples’ organizationPowPA - Programme of Work on Protected AreasPTFCF - Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation FoundationREDD - Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and

DegradationSGP - Small Grants ProgrammeSIAD - sustainable integrated area development

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UGAT - Ugnayang Pang-Agham TaoUN - United NationsUNDP - UN Development ProgrammesUNDRIP - UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesUNEP - UN Environment ProgrammeUNEP-WCMC - UN Environment Programme - World Conservation

Monitoring CentreUNESCO – WHS - UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

- World Heritage SiteUP - University of the PhilippinesUP-NCPAG - UP-National College of Public Administration and

GovernanceUP OVPPA - UP Office of the Vice President for Public AffairsUSAID - United States Agency for International DevelopmentWDPA - World Database on Protected AreasWWF - World Wildlife Fund

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Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co Dean National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines (UP NCPAG) Magandang umaga po sa ating lahat (Good morning to everyone). Sa ating mga pinagpipitaganang mga panauhin (To all our esteemed guests), welcome and thank you for coming here to the National College of Public Administration and Governance. On behalf of the College, I welcome our esteemed guests and representatives of different indigenous communities all over the country, as well as our international guests. Ang okasyon pong ito ay napakahalaga rito sa amin sa National College of

Public Administration and Governance. Bakit po may interes ang kolehiyong ito sa usapin ng indigenous communities and ancestral domain? Ang governance po ay may kinalaman sa usapin ng mga tao, sa paggogobyerno ng mga institusyon, ng mga pinagkukunang yaman kagaya ng dagat, ilog, ginto at kabukiran. Dahil po rito, ang tungkulin ng governance ay napakalawak, at bahagi rito ay ang pagtingin sa paggobyerno ng ating komunidad at ng ating mga kayamanan. Ito po iyong isang napakalaking depinisyon ng governance. (This occasion is very important to us here at NCPAG. Why is our College interested with the issue of indigenous communities and ancestral domain? Governance deals with issues of the people--the governance of institutions, the management of the natural resources, of our seas, rivers, gold and farms. For this reason, the function of governance is very broad, and part of it is the prespective on the governance of our communities and resources. This is part of the broad definition of governance.) For our English-speaking guests, I’m saying why this occasion is important for the NCPAG and why governance plays a pivotal role on the issue of indigenous communities and development. I’m saying that governance deals with institutions, with people, with governing institutions and communities and if only for that, governance is playing a crucial role on the issue of natural resources, indigenous peoples and how our institutions really play out in the relationship among these concerns.

DR. EDNA ESTIFANIA A. CO is dean and professor at the National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines Diliman (UP-NCPAG). She has master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

She has published books and articles in journals here and abroad on various topics such as citizen-led democracy assessment, policy reforms, elections and political parties, rule of law, corruption, economic and social rights, voluntary sector, and citizenship among others.

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It is for this reason that we in NCPAG would also like to put at the center stage the role of governance and to a larger extent, the role of academic institutions like the University of the Philippines on matters of governance of our resources. Dahil po rito ay pinauunlakan ko po ang pagiging bahagi ng akademya, ng aming Kolehiyo at ng Pamantasan sa usapin na may kinalaman sa ating indigenous communities at paggobyerno ng kabuuang pinagkukunang yaman ng bayan. Ang akademya po, kagaya ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas at ng NCPAG ay malaki ang kinalaman dahil nga po sa usapin ng ugnayan ng ating mga institusyon at ng sambayanan, at ng ating mga likas na yaman o natural resources. Dahil po rito, noong sinabi sa akin ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources, UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] at ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas na gusto ng mga ito na magtanghal nitong ating pagsasama-sama, hindi po kami nagdalawang-isip na kayo’y tanggapin dahil ang kahalagahan po ng komperensiyang ito ay sentral sa usapin ng governance. (As part of the academe, of our College and University, we are involved in issues that are related to indigenous communities and the governance of the natural resources of the country. The academe, like the University of the Philippines and the NCPAG, is involved in this issue which concerns the relationship among our institutions, the people, and our natural resources. When the DENR, UNDP, and UP approached me about the plan to conduct this event, we did not think twice to accept the responsibility because of the importance of this conference, in which governance is the central issue.) Without anymore extending a long message, muli gusto ko pong magpasalamat at ikinararangal ko na ang aming Kolehiyo ang mag-host ng isang napakahalagang pagsasama-sama (again, I would like to thank everyone and we are honored that our College was chosen to host a very important gathering). I would also like to thank our organizers for thinking of NCPAG to host this conference. On behalf of the National College of Public Administration and Governance, we continue to commit ourselves in the pursuit of governance including that of our indigenous communities. Congratulations, magandang umaga at welcome sa inyong lahat (good morning and welcome, everyone).

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MR. RENAUD MEYER is the Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines. Before joining the United Nations, Mr. Meyer worked in Tunisia for the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A French citizen, Renaud Meyer holds a master’s degree in International Relations and Development Studies from the University of Strasbourg and graduated from the Institut D’Etudes Politiques of Strasbourg.

Mr. Renaud Meyer Country Director United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Honorable Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, Honorable President Alfredo Pascual of the University of the Philippines, Honorable Chairperson Zenaida Pawid of NCIP [National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Dean Edna Co of NCPAG [National College of Public Administration and Governance, distinguished government officials here present, our friends from the indigenous communities, our partners from the national and local governments, esteemed visitors from the Global ICCA [Indigenous Community Conserved Areas] Consortium and UNEP [United Nations Environment Programme], friends and colleagues from civil society and academe, good morning. It gives me great pleasure to open this landmark event on one of the pioneering approaches on biodiversity conservation not only in the Philippines, but also globally—the

first ever National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Area or the ICCA. As you may know, Indigenous Community Conserved Area is not really a new concept but a de facto working model in biodiversity conservation The big difference is the move to recognize it as one of the officially accepted models and part of the national protected areas systems of the Philippines. We are confident that the country will be able to offer a significant amount of learning to the world in this area not only through this conference but other future engagements. I would like to congratulate DENR for taking this new route, along with several other conservation models, because it brings in partners that are not only committed, but can actually take the load off government in terms of conserving the Philippines' last remaining gene pools. We know that we are running out of time in stemming biodiversity loss because forest deforestation and ecosystems degradation, in general, continue unabated. One simply has to recall the devastation experienced by Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities, which were aggravated, if not partially brought on by illegal logging, to know that environmental degradationas an underlying risk factor for disasters, should stop immediately.

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We are also very excited by the Philippines’ taking on the ICCA approach because it is a tacit acknowledgment of the critical role that ecosystems communities play—in this case, the indigenous peoples—in keeping ecosystems, including biodiversity, intact. We know for a fact that indigenous peoples have inhabited, for millennia, territories that harbour exceptionally high levels of biodiversity. And for the longest time, the IPs have traditionally and voluntarily protected and managed their environment simply because it is not only a productive source to them but the core of their cultural and ethnic identity. This biodiversity conservation model is no longer a conceptual approach but a successfully working one. Globally, it is known that human cultural diversity is associated with the remaining concentrations of biodiversity. And this is true for the country. The Philippines is identified as among the 17 mega diverse countries in the world and the third most biodiverse among countries of South and Southeast Asia. Out of its identified 128 key biodiversity areas, approximately, 96 (75 percent) are known to be part of the ancestral domain of IPs. Hence, it is essential to recognize IPs as key stewards of the remaining biodiversity resources in the country. We are very happy that this work involves the indigenous peoples. Aside from helping enhance a programme country’s environment and natural resource base, through such strategies as biodiversity conservation, the UNDP works to alleviate the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable, because of its core mandate of supporting sustainable human development. It is a well known fact that the indigenous peoples in this country are among the poorest and most marginalized. That is why we have also placed them at the center of our work. Even before our formal engagement with them on the ICCA process, we have also supported them through our various programme portfolios on poverty, governance, and conflict prevention and recovery. Through specific initiatives like the Small Grants Programme, IPs have not only been given the opportunity to further strengthen their environment work but also in securing their ancestral domains and, in many instances, improve their socioeconomic status through enterprise development and environmentally compatible livelihoods. In the Philippines, UNDP has supported countless small grants projects in the areas of biodiversity conservation and renewable energy. In its over 15 years of operations in the Philippines. We will soon start a new phase in SGP history—with the programme to be fully managed by the country through civil society in partnership with the government, with UNDP support. Our other projects on the Poverty and Environment Initiative and our governance project on IPs are testimonies to UNDP’s commitment to help alleviate the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable. It is very timely that we are starting to recognize conservation areas which have been set aside as that by our indigenous peoples. ICCAs are

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essentially the focus and result of community-driven conservation and at the same time a showcase of climate change impacts such as disruption of wetlands, saltwater intrusion into rivers and streams, and the change in the fuctioning of forests, marine and mangrove ecosystems. Enhancing the resilience of the resources and ecosystems services they depend on through such strategies as ICCAs is also developing the resilience of IPs, not to mention the fact that these areas are an important complement to the National Protected Areas System of the country. ICCAs will help conserve critical ecosystems, maintain essential ecosystem functions including water security, provide corridors and linkages in habitats and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems and people to survive and adapt to climate change and other threats. ICCAs not only contribute to arresting biodiversity loss but to overall ensuring of environmental sustainability. We can say, therefore, that it is an important strategy for the achievement of MDG [Millenium Development Goals] 7. On the flipside, forests rich in biodiversity are a source of economic and cultural well-being of the indigenous peoples. ICCAs are, therefore, also instrumental in contributing to the attainment of the MDG 1 on eradicating poverty and hunger. Making a dent on poverty statistics among the indigenous peoples is significantly addressing the remaining pockets of poverty in this country. It is estimated that the IPs account for the 20 percent of the total population of the country and 40 percent of its rural population and are among the poorest of the poor. At the global level, ICCAs are being recognized, being consistent with the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) of respecting the rights of IPs to protect their sacred sites; their rights to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal areas and other resources, and to uphold their responsibilities to future generations; and their rights to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources. Seeing the IPs profess their link and commitment to protecting their environment is a moving sight. I was lucky enough to witness the ICCA declaration of our Menuvu brothers in Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon last February 7, 2012. Mt. Kalatungan is the second tallest mountain in the Philippines where the headwaters of several river systems of the lowland areas in Misamis Oriental are located. I have witnessed the sincerity, willingness and commitment of the Menuvu community in conserving and protecting their sacred grounds as conservation areas simply because many lives depend on them, theirs and the people outside their tribe. They voluntarily conserve these areas not because of monetary returns but because these areas are the base of their socioeconomic and cultural

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identity. In fact, conservation is not an abstract concept to them; it is their way of life. We, who are enjoying the ecosystem services from these efforts like food, water and raw materials for many things should respect, recognize and support their traditional ways of managing their resources. For ICCAs to be successful and sustainable, three key elements must be ensured:

1. It is vital that the value of the knowledge-practice-belief complex of indigenous peoples relating to conservation of biodiversity is fully recognized if ecosystems and biodiversity are to be managed sustainably. Hence, recognition and support of relevant government agencies and local govenrmeent units are warranted. ICCAs should be kept in mind when formulating local development and land use plans. ICCAs should be given high priority when planning for development projects in the area.

2. The IPs should be empowered to critically engage with the government and other stakeholders. Their participation should be more than attendance and representation to events. Their voices and opinions should be heard.

3. And most especially, the IPs should be able to preserve their cultural diversity. It is as important as preserving biodiversity.

Before I end, let me congratulate our IP brothers and sisters from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, for coming together for this First National Conference on ICCA. Take this chance to map out strategies and plans in strengthening your ICCAs not only as a biodiversity conservation scheme but as it strengthens and preserves your cultural identities.

I would like to exhort our government and other development partners to provide the necessary support to make the ICCAs work. We are especially exhorting members of the legislature who are gracing the occasion to facilitate the provision of the necessary policy environment to make ICCAs thrive.

In closing, allow me to quote a famous personality whose name now eludes me. “The wild places are where we begun. When they end, so do we.” I hope, therefore, that we would, at least, not hasten their passing.

Thank you and I wish you a very successful conference.

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Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias Executive Secretary UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Delivered via skype by Mr. John Scott, Programme Officer, Traditional Knowledge, Social, Economic and Legal Matters, CBD Secretariat) Distinguished delegates, representatives of the Government of the Philippines and indigenous peoples of the Philippines. It gives me great pleasure to address this significant conference on an issue very important to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and most importantly to achieving the revised strategy plan 2011-20 and in particular the Strategic Goal C, which is “to improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity” and Target 11, which states: By 2020, at least 17 percent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other elective area-based conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscapes and seascapes. The contribution of indigenous community conservations areas to the achievement of this goal cannot be underestimated. Without recognizing and taking into account ICCAs, our goal of 17 percent of protected areas by 2020, may

not be realized.

MR. JOHN SCOTT is a descendant of the Iningai people (indigenous Australian) of Barcaldine area in central Queensland through his father and grandmother who are Freshwater Murris. He is the programme officer for traditional knowledge for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity since 2004. Through his work with the Convention on Biological Diversity, Mr. Scott has successfully created a mutually beneficial dialogue between indigenous peoples and governments for protecting and promoting traditional knowledge and customary use of biodiversity.

DR. BRAULIO FERREIRA DE SOUZA DIAS, a national of Brazil, is the executive secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. He was formerly the National Secretary for Biodiversity and Forests at the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment. He has been deeply involved with the negotiations and implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity since its origin and participated, as a member of the Brazilian delegation, in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Dr. Dias holds a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from the University of Brasilia and is trained as a scientist, with a Doctor of Philosophy in zoology from the University of Edinburgh.

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Indigenous peoples and local communities have played a critical role in conserving a variety of natural environments and species for ages, for a variety of purposes, economic as well as cultural, spiritual and aesthetic. Today, there are many thousands of Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) across the world, including sacred sites, forests, wetlands, and landscapes, village lakes, water catchment, rivers and coastal stretches and marine areas. Fortunately, there is also a growing recognition of ICCAs and acknowledgement of their role in the conservation of biodiversity. The programme of work for protected areas at the CBD accepts them as legitimate conservation sites that deserve support and, as appropriate, inclusion in national and international systems. Some governments have followed suit. Others had already included them within their official Protected Area Systems. ICCAs are natural and/or modified ecosystems containing significant biodiversity values, ecological services and cultural values, voluntarily conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities, both sedentary and mobile, through customary laws or other effect means. ICCAs can include ecosystems with minimum to substantial human influence as well as cases of continuation, revival or modification of traditional practices or new initiatives taken up by communities in the face of new threats or opportunities. Several of them are inviolate zones ranging from very small to large stretches of land and waterscapes. Globally, 400-800 million hectares of forest are owned or administered by communities In 18 developing countries with the largest forest cover, over 22 percent of forests are owned by, or reserved for, communities. In some of these countries (e.g., Mexico and Papua New Guinea) the community forests cover 80 percent of the total forested area (Molnar, Scherr & Khare, 2004). More land and resources are under community control in other ecosystems. According to the Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas consortium about 12 per cent of terrestrial areas of the world are under ICCAs. This is an estimate, but there are some factual figures in some regions (Australia, Asia, Africa and LAC) providing evidence to gauge the total area under ICCAs in different ecosystems in different regions of the world. What is the significance of ICCAs?

• They help conserve critical ecosystems and threatened species, maintain essential ecosystem functions (e.g., water security), and provide corridors and linkages for animal and gene movement, including between two or more officially protected areas;

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• They are the basis of cultural and economic livelihoods for millions of people, securing resources (energy, food, water, fodder) and income;

• They help synergize the links between agricultural biodiversity and wildlife, providing larger land/waterscape level integration;

• They offer crucial lessons for participatory governance of official protected areas (PAs), useful to resolve conflicts between PAs and local people;

• They are based on rules and institutions "tailored to the context", (biocultural diversity), skilled at adaptive management and capable of flexible, culture-related responses;

• They are built on sophisticated collective ecological knowledge and capacities, including sustainable use of wild resources and maintenance of agro-biodiversity, which have stood the test of time; and

• They are typically designed to maintain crucial livelihood resources for times of stress and need, such as during war, severe weather events and other natural disasters.

The ultimate goal of the programme of work on protected areas — establishing comprehensive, ecologically representative and effective protected area systems — requires that serious and systematic attention be paid to socioeconomic and institutional matters, and should not be limited to biological factors and criteria only. This programme element includes promoting equity and benefit-sharing through increasing the benefits of protected areas for indigenous and local communities, and enhancing the involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders. Hence, your conference is very relevant to the current work of the CBD on protected areas. The Philippines is a recognized leader on indigenous rights and the recognition of ICCAs. There is much other countries can learn from the experience of your country. In finishing, I send you my best wishes for a successful outcome and I ask that you continue to involve and inform the Secretariat of this ground breaking work and also to report formally through the fifth national report so that lessons learnt and good practices in the Philippines can be promoted to other regions and parties.

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Hon. Alfredo E. Pascual President University of the Philippines (Delivered by UP Vice President for Public Affairs J. Prospero De Vera III) Senator Koko Pimentel, UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer, DENR Undersecretary Analiza Teh, NCPAG Dean Edna Co, guests from the international community, fellow workers in government, leaders of our indigenous communities, colleagues from the academe, representatives from the nongovernment organi-zations, ladies and gentlemen. Isang mapagpalayang umaga sa ating lahat. We are here today to give due recognition to the historic role of our indigenous peoples in protecting and preserving our environment. Yes, this conference is a tribute to our lumads whose cultural heritage and religious practices have ensured the preservation of what little is left of our environment. This tribute is only fitting given our penchant to squander our resources in the mistaken belief that it is limitless. Our indigenous communities, on the other hand, all 144 tribes living in key biodiversity areas all over the

country continue to make sure that there will be resources for the generations to come. They are the real custodians of nature.

DR. J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III has spent three decades of his life in the disciplines of History, Political Science, and Public Administration. He is currently the vice president for Public Affairs of UP and a professor at UP-NCPAG specializing in policy studies, legislative studies, and political analysis. He had been involved with the legislative branch of government in the Philippines and the United States since the 1980s. Dr. de Vera earned his doctorate in Public Administration at the UP-NCPAG and was a Fulbright-Hays Visiting Scholar at the University of Southern California and the California State University-Sacramento (1990-1992), and Senior Fulbright Visiting Professor/Fellow at the Johns Hopkins University (2000-2001).

HON. ALFREDO E. PASCUAL is the 20th President of the University of the Philippines and the first UP President under its new charter as the national university. President Pascual obtained his MBA and BS in Chemistry (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines He worked at the Asian Development Bank for 19 years until 2008, serving in such positions as advisor for Public-Private Partnership, director of Infrastructure Finance, and director of Private Sector Operations. He was also a lead convenor of the Automated Election System (AES) Watch, a multisector coalition that monitored the preparation and conduct of the country’s first national automated election in May 2010.

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ICCA or Indigenous Community Conserved Areas is not really a new concept as far as the Philippines is concerned. Conservation has been the core of the traditional knowledge and world view of indigenous communities spread all over the archipelago even before there was a country named the Philippines. And our indigenous communities have asserted this belief throughout their struggle for self determination during the colonial period, land tenure rights during martial law, and the recognition of the ancestral domains after the passage of the IPRA law. Recent events have placed the concept of ICCA at the core of our development agenda. Typhoon Sendong taught us that the environmental degradation destroys life and property in the path of rivers that overflow due to excessive ram, neglected watersheds, and insufficient information to local communities. Recent events also taught us that were it not for the prudent care that our IP brothers and sisters have invested in protecting the highlands of Bukidnon, the disaster caused by Typhoon Sendong could have been worse. In the days following Sendong, we sent a team of UP experts in geosciences, forensic science, medical care, and community health to assist lligan City as it bravely faced the worst disaster in its recent past. The UP experts concluded that the worst hit areas were located near river systems inundated by floodwaters that cascaded from denuded watersheds that allowed the accumulated waters to freely and strongly flow down to the cities. Assessments from other studies also show that those areas, which have remained under the care of the indigenous communities in Northern Mindanao, appear to have been less affected by the massive destruction. These last remaining forests are inhabited and managed by our indigenous communities. They are our last remaining biodiversity areas, and our last protective barrier against the massive destruction of lowland areas. Unfortunately, this invaluable contribution has gone unnoticed. And many of the contributions of the indigenous communities to the country have been forgotten or ignored. And instead of being honored, oftentimes, they are marginalized in the distribution of basic government services, discriminated in schools, negatively portrayed in the media, and dispossessed of the very lands they have protected and developed despite the passage of the IPRA law. We must put an end to this historical marginalization and give them the recognition that is long overdue. It is time to afford stronger recognition to indigenous community conserved areas as a cost effective and equitable way to protect our remaining forests,

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our biodiversity, and our natural resources while supporting the IPs in strengthening their bond to their culture and tradition that have kept these ICCAs in the condition they are in today. Embodied in this recognition is an ingrained respect for their rights, and an obligation to help them pass on the traditional knowledge and practices to the younger generations of IPs. Equally important is the responsibility of government and society to address their basic needs, and lift them from poverty. As the National University created by law to provide a unique and distinctive leadership in higher education and national development, the University of the Philippines is honored and committed to part of this worthy effort to recognize the contributions of indigenous communities. As a research university we commit to be part of this worthy undertaking by providing a venue where pressing issues such as biodiversity conservation, the rights of the indigenous communities, and climate change can be discussed by academics, the indigenous communities and the public, and where research and new knowledge can be produced to guide our future action. Through our National College of Public Administration and Governance, we commit to discuss, learn and develop new governance paradigms that can be adopted in other communities, by local governments all over the country to better protect the environment, sustain our biodiversity, and translated into law to further strengthen the IPRA and develop an enabling environment to sustain ICCAs. And as a public service university we commit to be part of this worthy undertaking by providing technical assistance and partnerships with executive agencies, congress, local governments, civil society organizations and communities to help document indigenous knowledge and practices, improve capability to manage risks from natural disasters, mitigate the impacts of climate change, strengthen the capacities of IP communities in documenting the richness of biodiversity in their areas, and help formulate appropriate management measures to conserve these. We commit to this worthy undertaking through our seven constituent units and one constituent college and our fourteen campuses all over the country. I am confident that if UP can produce 36 out of our 37 national scientists; 34 out of our 57 national artists, 7 of our 15 presidents, we will be able to provide the expertise and assistance needed to support ICCAs so that the likes of Ka Badong, Datu Ampuan, Datu Rio, Datu Vic Saway, and the multitude of IP communities in the country will be empowered to continue their work.

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Let me conclude this message with a note of congratulations to the organizers and partners of this conference. I am sure that with the excellent mix of participants gathered today, we will have a productive two days of sharing and consensus building. Like everyone else gathered here today, we will await with great interest the results of this conference, so that together we can find ways to concretize our cooperation. Maraming salamat at magandang umaga sa inyong lahat!

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Hon. Ramon J.P. Paje Secretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (Delivered by Atty. Analiza R. Teh, DENR undersecretary and chief of staff)

Hon. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III; UP [University of the Philippines] President Alfredo E. Pascual; UP Vice Pres. J. Prospero E. De Vera III; NCPAG [National College of Public Administration and Governance] Dean Edna Estifania A. Co; UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyer; our partners from the international development community: ADB [Asian Development Bank], Embassy of Spain, World Bank, EU [European Union], IFAD [International Fund for Agrucultural Development], FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization], USAID [United States Agency for International Development]; our colleagues in the government led by NCIP [National Commission on Indigenous Peoples] Chairperson Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid; Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales; Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary Gerundio Madueño;our NGO partners; members of the academe; distinguished guests and participants, good morning! If there is one thing that our country is proud of, it is the richness of our natural resources. Not to mention our land and water resources, the Philippines is one of the richest on earth in terms of biodiversity, or the variety of life it nurtures. It belongs to the 18 mega diverse countries which host 70 to 80 percent of the world's life forms.

ATTY. ANALIZA REBUELTA-TEH is the chief of staff of the DENR Secretary. Before she joined the government in 1990, she worked with nongovernment organizations and a church-based organization involved in people empowerment. She finished her Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines in 1996 where she also took up a Program in Development Economics at the UP School of Economics from 1992 to 1993. She was assistant secretary for Legal in 2004 and later assistant secretary at the DENR Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Office (FASPO) from January 2005 to May 2011 and continues to supervise it.

DR. RAMON J.P. PAJE is the 19th secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Prior to his appointment, he was DENR’s undersecretary for field operations and executive director of the Minerals Development Council under the Office of the President in concurrent capacity. A holder of a doctorate degree in Public Administration from UP-NCPAG and a top-rank Career Executive Service Officer (CESO I), Sec. Paje’s ascension to the post marks the second time in the DENR’s 23-year history to have the proverbial “bottom-to-top” success by a rank and file employee.

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• The country has more than 52,177 described species, more than half of which,are found nowhere else on Earth;

• It ranks fifth in the world in terms of the number of plant species; • It ranks fourth in the world in terms of bird endemism; • It is recognized as one of the most important centers of amphibian and

reptile diversity in Southeast Asia; • It is home to one of the greatest concentration of terrestrial mammalian

diversity in the world; • It has one of the highest discoveries in the world with 36 new species

discovered in the last 10 years.

However, while it holds an excellent record in the world's biodiversity map, it also holds the top record of being among the only two countries in the world where important and unique plants and animals are disappearing rapidly. Along with Madagascar, it is a biodiversity hotspot in the world.

DENR is mandated to stop environmental abuses, reverse ecological degradation, and conserve the remaining natural resources. These require the mobilization of the upland farmers, the coastal communities, the women and most especially the indigenous peoples (IPs). As early as the 1980s, the Department has recognized the capacity of the indigenous peoples in sustainable natural resources management. Testament to this was a program created to recognize the rights of IPs, through the issuance of certificates of ancestral domain claims (CADCs), and to support in the preparation of the ancestral domain management plans (ADMPs). Following the success of this initiative, the Department sought the upscaling of IP empowerment through its push for the passage of the Indigenous People's Right Act (IPRA), and the creation of an independent National Commission of Indigenous People (NCIP) governed by IPs today. The ancestral domains overlap, to a large degree, with the nation's key biodiversity areas, and the traditional management systems of our indigenous people have proven to perpetuate the existence of these valuable biodiversity resources. This explains why the IPRA mandates the Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) to uphold the right to manage their ancestral domains through traditional resource management practices. The New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project or NewCAPP, a UNDP [United Nations Development Programme] / GEF [Global Environmentak Facility] / DENR project, is very relevant in strengthening the capacities of the indigenous communities, not only in sustainably managing their resources, but also in conserving what remains of the contry’s important biodiversity resources.

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With the NewCAPP, being implemented by the DENR in pilot sites, terrestrial protected areas system can be expanded and strengthened. Continuous recognition and empowerment of IPs as partners in biodiversity conservation can be ensured both in the national and international levels. Policies and programs can be threshed out to push forward the traditional management of biodiversity. The DENR also has other programs that complement the goal of the ICCAs. The National Greening Program (NGP), made possible through the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 26 by President Benigno Aquino III, targets to plant some 1.5 billion trees covering about 1.5 million hectares of land for a period of six years. The NGP prioritizes partnership with local and indigenous communities to provide the required quality planting materials. The DENR is also looking at incorporating the degraded areas needning restoration within ICCAs in the regional targets of the Department. It is also taking measures to examine the existing EIA [environmental impact assessment] system, such as KBAs [key biodiversity areas], where most ICCAs are located to be considered environmentally critical areas. With key players around, and the support of everyone here in this conference, I am very confident that we would be able to have a strong kick off to further the higher goals and aspirations of the ICCAs in the country. We would like to express our gratitude to NCPAG for hosting this Conference. I wish you all a successful conference. Maraming salamat po.

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Hon. Aquilino Martin ‘Koko’ D. Ll. Pimentel III Senator Senate of the Philippines President Pascual, Secretary Paje, Dean Co, Mr. Meyer, fellow workers in government, leaders from the indigenous communities, partners in the NGOs, mga kapwa ko Iskolar ng Bayan, isang magandang umaga sa inyong lahat. When I received the invitation to attend this conference, I was filled with enthusiasm, being that I trace my roots to Mindanao, where indigenous communities are still very much visible and vibrant. I thought it would be an opportunity to be with the people from my home island. And I also thought it would be a fitting venue for me to express my thoughts on the plight of our often invisible indigenous communities and their ancestral land. Yes, in the eyes of a majority of our countrymen, particularly those in Metro Manila, its surrounding areas and our major cities, the culture, heritage and struggles of our indigenous communities are invisible. They are seldom seen on TV, featured in our magazines or talked

about in social media. Often times, they are only thought of when news events involving them are brought before the national consciousness, when their lands are threatened by national corporations; and when their rights are violated by their fellow Filipinos. Often times, we forget that our indigenous communities are our link to our ancestors. Their heritage and culture stretches far back to the days before Magellan and his crew even saw the Philippine horizon from their ships. The lands that our indigenous communities possess have been theirs long before the Americans imposed concepts of land ownership and titles. The sacred places they have in their lands have been temples and places for communion with the divine, long before Catholic and Protestant missionaries reached their communities.

SEN. AQUILINO “KOKO” PIMENTEL III was proclaimed on August 11, 2011 as the 12th winning senator in the 2007 election. Senator Pimentel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Ateneo de Manila University and a Bachelor of Laws from University of the Philippines Diliman. He was the topnotcher in the 1990 Philippine Bar Examinations and began working as a lawyer in 1990. He was a National Youth Commission commissioner for Mindanao from 1995 to 1998.

Sen. Koko’s main advocacy is electoral reform. He fervently pursues this as chairman of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, one of the best performing committees at the Philippine Senate.

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If during the Spanish and American period, our indigenous communities had to struggle against foreigners with claims and designs on their lands, in recent years, they have been staving off corporations run by fellow Filipinos out to "develop" their lands and profit from the bounties of the environment. Being a Mindanaoan, I am well aware of the struggle of the indigenous communities in Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Surigao del Norte, South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte. And the struggles of these communities, though reported by the Mindanao press, are seldom heard of or spoken about in the halls of power here in Manila. It is this lack of knowledge here in the national capital that results to the national government having little regulation of the activities of some corporations and agencies in Mindanao. It is also this same lack of knowledge that results to the disadvantage of the indigenous communities who are fighting for the land of their forefathers. We need to change that. In the age of global warming, the Philippines is in a region which is among those which are most vulnerable. And considering how much of our forests have been depleted, our rivers polluted and our mountains flattened, we are all the more making our people more susceptible to the disasters which will be brought about by stronger typhoons, massive floods and unpredictable weather patterns. Environmentalists have repeatedly said that if in 1908 - UP's founding year, the Ph i l ipp ines had 85 to 90 percent forest cover, in recent years, that has been reduced to 15 percent -- most of which are found in the ancestral lands of our indigenous communities. This is proof then that the indigenous or lumad, as we call them in Mindanao, have done much to preserve what little biodiversity we have left in the country. It is sad that we give little regard to the rich traditions and immeasurable contribution of our indigenous communities to our environment and national heritage. And we pay so little attention to their knowledge in biodiversity conservation and local governance. I believe that as much as we are hearing from biologists, environmentalists and other experts on the environment, it is important that we also listen to our indigenous communities, whose knowledge of the environment is the product of experience over the centuries. Through this conference, we must establish that our indigenous people have been at the forefront of protecting our national environment. And we give due cognizance to the i r contribution by aiding them in their desire to preserve the sacred places in their ancestral lands. It is my hope that with this conference, the awareness on the plight of our indigenous communities

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and the threats on their lands would result to a commitment of sectors which can aid in the greater recognition and hopefully the protection of the rights of our indigenous peoples. From my end as a legislator, I will work for the better appreciation and institution of policies which would protect the rights and lands of the indigenous peoples. I may be one, but I am confident that there are fellow legislators in the Senate who may share my belief in our indigenous communities. Our indigenous peoples have been struggling for the preservation of their ancestral lands and our national environment over the centuries and their efforts have been beneficial not only to their communities, but to the whole country. It is time that we too, extend our support to their struggle. It is time that we stand as one in nourishing our cultural well-being as well as preserve the world bequeathed upon us. Maraming salamat at muli, magandang umaga sa inyong lahat.

 

Proceedings of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines 1

Conference Overview: The First National Conferenceon the Indigenous Community Conserved Areas

Background

Conservation takes different regimes in pursuing the management of the world’snatural resources and environment, especially that of the earth’s biodiversity.Recent international gatherings, including the 2003 World Parks Congress andthe 2004 Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PowPA) of the Conventionon Biological Diversity (CBD) of which the Philippines is a signatory, havecontributed to the re-evaluation of conservation approaches, including that of insitu conservation.

The CBD defines in situ conservation as “the conservation of ecosystems andnatural habitats, and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations ofspecies in their natural surroundings” (Art. 2). The CBD further reads that stateparties shall “respect, preserve and maintain knowledge, innovations andpractices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestylesrelevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.” Clearly,the CBD recognizes the traditional knowledge and systems of the indigenouspeoples (IPs) in maintaining Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs),considered as one of the main avenues to strengthen natural resource use andbiodiversity conservation.

Recommendation v.26 of the Fifth World Parks Congress in Durban in 2003defines ICCAs as:

natural and modified ecosystems including significant biodiversity, ecologicalservices and cultural values voluntarily conserved by indigenous and localcommunities through customary laws or other effective means.

The concept of ICCAs is not new. For millennia, indigenous and localcommunities have played a critical role in conservation. While the conservationpractice of ICCAs is potentially the oldest on earth, it is under-recognized andnot well understood, thus leaving it in jeopardy for lacking political and financialsupport and increasingly vulnerable to external threats

In the Philippines, the government has recognized the contribution of the IPs inconserving what remains of the Philippine biodiversity. Through the UnitedNations Development Programme - Global Economic Fund (UNDP-GEF)-supported New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP), pilotsare being implemented to establish the procedures for recognition of ICCAs asa way of diversifying the management regimes and accelerating conservationcoverage in the country’s key biodiversity areas (KBAs). The PhilippineAssociation for Intercultural Development (PAFID) carried out spatial analyses

NATURE CONSERVATION IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR ANCESTORS2

that showed ancestral domains, which host ICCAs, cover large portions of KBAs.This implies that ICCAs can provide effective on the ground protection of thecountry’s biodiversity if they are sufficiently recognized and supported. Asidefrom this opportunity to expand biodiversity conservation areas through theancestral domains, ICCAs and their indigenous peoples offer a unique andsustainable way of managing the country’s biodiversity resources. With theseforeseeable benefits, diversification of governance in KBAs through recognitionof ICCAs is now on the table as part of the country’s conservation agenda.

This direction was translated into a collaborative effort among the Departmentof Environment and Natural Resources-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau(DENR-PAWB), Coalition of Indigenous Peoples Organizations (KASAPI), PAFID,and the University of the Philippines (UP) to conduct subnational workshops asprelude to the National Conference on ICCAs.

Galvanizing Unity for the ICCA National Conference

Three Subnational Workshops were organized in November 2011: one in Luzonand Island Groups, and two in Mindanao. They were participated by a total of185 IP leaders from 41 provinces representing 35 ethno-linguistic groups. Theseworkshops galvanized understanding among IP groups on ICCAs and servedas a forum where indigenous communities shared their own definition andexpressions of ICCAs across the major ecosystem types in the country.Community objectives or motivations to maintain an ICCA range from resourceor livelihood base to cultural or traditional reasons. The IP leaders asserted thattheir ICCAs were subjected to different threats such as those that come fromunabated extractive activities, the encroachment to ICCAs by migrants, thedecline of traditional knowledge due to external influences, very limitedgovernment and NGO support and resources made available to communitiesto sustain their ICCAs, and prevalence of violence and war in most ICCAs.

The First National Conference on ICCAs is attended by IP leaders from different parts ofthe country as well as guests and supporters, namely, Senator Aquilino Martin D. Ll.Pimentel, III, UNDP Philippines Country Director Renaud Meyer, UP Vice President forPublic Affairs J. Prospero E. De Vera III, NCPAG Dean Edna Estifania A. Co, CHRChairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales and DENR Undersecretary Analiza Teh.

Proceedings of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines 3

The Subnational Workshops generated two important outputs—the formulationof the Consolidated Action Plan and the Guiding Principles of CollaborativeWork and Partnership in ICCAs, which govern the coordination and collaborationefforts among the IPs, government, civil society, and other partners in theconservation and protection of the ICCAs.

Conference Objectives

The Subnational Workshops culminated in the conduct of the First NationalConference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas in the Philippines witha theme “Nature Conservation in the Footsteps of Our Ancestors” held at theUP National College of Public Administration (UP NCPAG) Assembly Hall onMarch 29-30, 2012. Convened by NewCAPP, PAFID, KASAPI, UP Office of theVice President for Public Affairs (UP OVPPA), UP NCPAG and The ICCAConsortium, the National Conference was a first of its kind in the world, andcreated better understanding and support for the recognition and respect forICCAs in the country as an effective governance regime in biodiversityconservation.

The National Conference set the following specific objectives:

To generate common understanding among IP organizations,nongovernment organizations, government and development partners onthe concept of ICCAs, their value to the communities and their contributionto the country’s biodiversity conservation;To strengthen awareness on the contribution of IPs in the managementICCAs; the threats facing their sustainability; and enjoin concernedstakeholders into positive action to address these threats; andTo seek consensus on the elements of a National ICCA Framework andStrategy in the Philippines, the guiding principles for engagement on ICCAs,and the role of stakeholders, and support organizations in its implementation.

Participants of the National Conference ranged from the nominated IP leadersto representatives of international organizations such as the UNDP-GEF,International ICCA Consortium, United Nations Environment Programme – WorldConservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), donor organizations,NewCAPP affiliates from both the government sector and civil society, otherconcerned government agencies, the legislature, and the academe.

The two-day National Conference witnessed a spirited and rich exchange onICCA perspectives, both international and local; sharing on the global ICCA registryand the initiatives of NewCAPP on this area; discussion and presentation of thelocal ICCA experiences based from the subnational workshops, including localtypologies, characteristics and values of the country’s ICCAs; presentation ofthe Coordinated Action Plan and Guiding Principles of Collaborative Work and

NATURE CONSERVATION IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR ANCESTORS4

Partnership in ICCAs crafted from the subnational workshops; formulation of aunifying Manila Declaration on ICCAs; and the reaffirmation of the roles of supportorganizations and their commitments in sustaining the ICCAs from differentcivil society organizations, donor organizations and government agenciesespecially the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), DENR-PAWB, Commission on Human Rights (CHR), UP, and the legislature.

A cultural night cum solidarity dinner for the IP leaders, international and nationalguests were hosted by UP President Alfredo E. Pascual at the UP ExecutiveHouse on March 29, 2012. The dinner allowed the IP leaders and ICCA advocatesto meet the UP President and other officials of the university and exchangenotes on community conservation and biodiversity. IP leaders from Mindanaotook the occasion to perform a ritual to bless the residence of the UP Presidentand strengthen his support for IP rights. UNDP Country Director Renaud Meyerand DENR Undersecretary Anna Teh were also included in the ritual because oftheir key roles in supporting ICCAs.

The Manila Declaration on ICCAs is expected to draw cooperation andcommitment from concerned government agencies, Congress, the academe,the international community and the indigenous peoples themselves for theprotection and sustainability of the ICCAs. Everyone is positive on thegovernance regime of ICCAs to increase the coverage and sustainability ofbiodiversity and protected areas in the country, with the concerned governmentagencies working with IPs leading the endeavour and reconciling their specificprograms for the ICCAs.

UP President Alfredo E. Pascual and UNDP Philippines Country Director Renaud Meyerparticipate in the opening ritual performed by IP leaders.

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First National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs)

National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Assembly Hall | 29 March 2012

PROGRAMME 8:00-9:00AM Registration

9:00-9:05AM Philippine National Anthem

Opening Program

9:20-9:25AM Welcome Remarks Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co Dean National College of Public Administration and Governance University of the Philippines

9:25-10:30AM Opening Messages Mr. Renaud Meyer Country Director United Nations Development Programme

Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias Executive Secretary United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Read by Mr. John Scott Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat

Hon. Alfredo E. Pascual President University of the Philippines Read by Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera, III Vice President for Public Affairs University of the Philippines

Hon. Ramon J.P. Paje Secretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources Read by: Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh Undersecretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Hon. Aquilino Martin “Koko” D. Ll. Pimentel, III Senator Senate of the Philippines

10:30-11:00AM Photo Opportunity

11:00AM-12:30PM Session 1: Roles of Support Organizations on Indigenous Peoples, ICCA and Conservation

Strategies and Directions of NCIP on ICCAs in Relation to IPRA Implementation

Hon. Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid Chairperson National Commission for Indigenous Peoples

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6

The Role of ICCAs in the Philippines’ Overall Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation

Mr. Manuel D. Gerochi Undersecretary Department of Environment and Natural Resources Represented by: Mr. Nelson Devanadera

The Role of the Commission on Human Rights in Upholding the Rights of the IPs in their ICCAs

Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales Chairperson Commission on Human Rights

FPE’s Directions and Initiatives on ICCAs

Atty. Danny Valenzuela Chairperson and CEO Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

12:30-1:30PM LUNCH BREAK

1:30-2:00PM Initiatives and Directions of Support Groups (NGOs) on ICCAs

Ms. Victoria Tauli-Corpuz Executive Director Tebtebba Foundation

2:00-2:30PM International Perspective on ICCAs

Dr. Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend Global Coordinator ICCA Consortium

2:30-3:00PM ICCA Registry Ms. Colleen Corrigan Senior Program Officer Protected Areas, UNEP-WCMC

3:00-3:30PM ICCA Local Perspective

Mr. Giovanni Reyes Secretary General Coalition of Indigenous Groups in the Philippines (KASAPI)

3:30-5:30PM Session 2: Presentation of the Results of the Subnational Workshops on ICCAs

Subnational Presentation on ICCA (Typologies, Characteristics and Value)

Mr. Samuel Balinhawang Tribong Ikalahan Imugan, Santa Fe, Nueva Ecija Executive Officer Kalahan Education Foundation (KEF)

Issues that Impact on the Traditional Management on ICCAs in the Philipines

Ms. Narcisa Dalupines Tribong Jalawudoon, Bukidnon Supanga, Calinog, Iloilo

OPEN FORUM

Impressions Ms. Teresa Gaspar Tinglayan, Kalinga

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First National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Assembly Hall | 30 March

2012

PROGRAMME

8:30-9:00AM Recap Mr. Giovanni Reyes Secretary General KASAPI

9:00-9:30AM Guiding Principles for Collaborative Work and Partnership in ICCAs

Datu Vic Saway Talaandig, Lantapan, Bukidnon

9:30-10:00AM Presentation of the Consolidated Action Plan

Datu Ed Banda Manobo, Magpet, North Cotabato Chairperson KASAPI

10:00AM-12:00NN OPEN FORUM

12:00-1:30PM LUNCH BREAK

1:30-5:30PM Session 3: Responses/ Statement of Support for ICCAs

Ms. Maria Molina Deputy Head Spanish Embassy

Ms. Agnes De Jesus Sr. Vice President for Environment & External Relations Energy Development Corporation (EDC)

Ms. Victoria Lazaro Operations Officer World Bank

Ms. Indira Simboron Principle Social Development Specialist Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Ms. Yolando Arban Country Program Officer The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Mr. Nelson Devanadera Assistant Director Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB)

Atty. Jose Andres Canivel Executive Director Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF)

Ma. Elena Regpala Tebtebba’s Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation (CBDC)

Ms. Anna Katharina Kramer Junior Expert

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8

Institute for Development (GIZ)

Presentation of the Declaration on Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas

Datu Vic Saway Talaandig, Lantapan, Bukidnon Datu Ed Banda Manobo, Magpet, North Cotabato Chairperson KASAPI Ms. Elsa Dioayan Maeng, Tubo, Abra

Responses to Manila Declaration

Hon. Lorenzo Tanada III Deputy Speaker House of Representatives

Hon. Zenaida Brigida Pawid Chairperson NCIP

Ms. Grace Tena Programme Associate UNDP

Closing Remarks

Bae Helen Pojaras Manobo, Tagkiling, Butuan City

Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio DENR - Policy and Planning-

 

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First National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs): Conference Highlights

Recognized worldwide as one of the richest in biodiversity, the Philippines is also one of the threatened biodiversity hotspots in the world. It is on this note that the conservation of the country’s biodiversity through the documentation and protection of conservation areas within the ancestral domains of indigenous peoples become the ultimate objective of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines held at UP Diliman on March 29-30, 2012. The gathering of 233 IP leaders and different stakeholders in the conference reflected how crucial it is to find every effective way of affirming and strengthening the existing governance systems of such indigenous community conserved areas. The conference served as a forum wherein partners from nongovernment organizations, government agencies, international organizations and the academe exchanged ideas with the IP leaders and articulated their support for the IPs, their ICCAs and their issues and concerns, and the conservation of biodiversity in general. The conference had three sessions. The first session dealt with the international and local framework of ICCA and conservation and the roles of support organizations on IPs and ICCAs. The results of the Subnational Workshops on ICCAs, including the Philippine ICCA typologies, traditional management, Consolidated Action Plan and the Guiding Principles of Collaborative Work and Partnerships in ICCAs were presented during the second session. The formulation, presentation and acceptance of the Manila Declaration on ICCAs were done in the third session. Session 1 The first session delved with the role of support organizations in ICCAs including the discussion on the international and local perspectives of ICCAs and its global registry. For the purpose of understanding the framework of ICCAs, the international and local perspectives on ICCA were presented ahead of the roles of each support organization. Dr. Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend discussed the international perspective of what ICCAs are, their characteristics, the significance of the collective decision-making by respective IP communities to their ICCAs as the oldest form of conservation on earth, and the capacity of communities to adapt and be resilient against environmental changes, thereby empowering IP and local/rural communities. Dr. Borrini-Feyerabend also elaborated the core messages with regards to conservation: (1) it cannot be done by experts alone and needs capacities, expertise, concern and engagement of the

NATURE CONSERVATION IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR ANCESTORS 14

whole society; (2) it needs to recognize the crucial ties between biological and cultural diversity and the conditions that empower communities in their conservation of nature; (3) it needs equity; and (4) it needs to respect human rights and IP rights. She underscored the role of good governance in ICCAs saying that the crucial thing about ICCAs is that they are only as good as the community and IPs that are governing them. Dr. Borrini-Feyerabend emphasized the need to obtain free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in all matters regarding ICCAs. She warned however on the impact of external support that ICCAs or IPs receive, which can be positive or negative. Mr. Giovanni Reyes of Coalition of Indigenous Groups in the Philippines or KASAPI stressed that the ICCAs have existed since time immemorial within the ancestral domains (ADs) of IPs in the Philippines. This was realized further in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, and the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) which was approved in 1997 for the protection of IPs to preserve and develop their cultures and traditions, to manage and conserve natural resources within the territories and uphold the responsibilities for future generations. Over time, however, the role of IP communities as stewards and caretakers of the environment has been slowly eroded and replaced by government and private organizations. This was further aggravated by conflicting national policies, commercialization, strict competition and indifference. Traditional mechanisms of conservation are now being altered and replaced, regarding them as “backward”. The lack of understanding of traditional governance of the IPs and the prejudice towards the skills of IP communities in managing the environment have effectively diminished the control of IP communities over their ICCAs. Ms. Colleen Corrigan, senior program officer of the UNEP-WCMC, discussed the global registry as protection of ICCAs against external and internal threats and explained the procedure of registration. The ICCA registry initiative has set up an ICCA website (http://www.iccaregistry.org), which contains an overview of projects, links, global maps, among other information. The website features maps, statistics, and basic information of ICCAs in pilot countries. The case studies of ICCAs in the pilot countries contain information on the context, participatory maps/videos, interviews, still photos, and stories. Central to ICCA registration is the importance of consultations with different groups to ensure that the contents of the registry are complete and comprehensive, making them also aware of the advantages and risks in being seen in the global registry. The benefits of being registered on the global ICCA registry zero in on constructing a database for documentation and sharing of available information online in an international platform. This registry helps in raising awareness on community conservation approaches, processes and impact at the international level; sharing of experiences and insights in the

Proceedings of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines 15

management of ICCAs; sharing of possible ecotourism and other entrepreneurial ventures; while assuring respect of intellectual property rights of communities. However, as any information can be availed of once posted in the net, there are risks IP communities need to consider before making their information available to the internet. The ICCA registry is managed by members of international organizations, technical experts as well as indigenous peoples, members of the ICCA consortium, and other important actors. The membership in the ICCA registry management is diverse, hence, decisions are consensual. The next step for the registry is its ISO Certification, which will show that the processes of the registry are of international standards. For the Philippine ICCA registry, DENR Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi cited that initiatives towards ICCA recognition in the Philippines have already started through the NewCAPP being implemented by the DENR-PAWB, with funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the UNDP. The NewCAPP is pilot testing the recognition of ICCAs through their documentation, mapping, declaration and eventual registration in the global registry of ICCAs. Support organizations, which included IP-oriented government agencies, Philippine-based and international NGOs as well as the ICCA consortium, presented their role on IPs, ICCAs and on biodiversity conservation.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the lead agency created by the IPRA, supports the ICCAs. The ICCA is perceived as a strategy that considers the NCIP and the IPs as full partners of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB) in biodiversity conservation. The NCIP has been working on the possibility that the ancestral domain becomes a viable planning unit to achieve appropriate and sustainable development without treating IPs as mere beneficiaries or absorbers of impositions of the government. The NCIP is also pushing for the strict observance of the FPIC, which demands that consultation with the IPs must be done before the adoption and implementation of any activity or policy even within ICCAs. The NCIP reiterates the need for the full implementation of the FPIC in all activities involving ICCAs to keep IPs empowered and well-informed on what is happening or what is to happen in their ancestral domains. NCIP Chairperson Zenaida Pawid left a challenge to the DENR – that if it “accepts ICCAs as ancestral domains, it should also be able to accept all other areas outside ICCAs that are biodiversity areas as ancestral domains.”

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is ready to defend the rights of the IPs when they become vulnerable or endangered to

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factors that cut their way to protecting their ancestral domains and the ICCAs and all the resources and the biodiversity that they contain. Towards upholding IPs’ rights in the ICCAs, the CHR’s role can be undertaken through strategies of protection and capacity-building. In terms of capacity-building, the Commission provides education and training to IP communities that are under the ICCA regime. Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales recognized the human rights-based approach as a powerful tool that can be used for governance and development.

DENR and PAWB are looking at ICCAs as an opportunity for the expansion of conservation in KBAs, since ICCAs are located mainly in KBAs and in ADs in many parts of the country. ICCAs and their IPs offer a unique and sustainable way of managing the country’s biodiversity resources. Diversification of governance in KBAs through the recognition of ICCAs is now considered a part of the country’s conservation agenda. PAWB, together with partner NGOs, initiated the development of procedures and strategies in the NewCAPP with the objective of facilitating the recognition of ICCAs through documentation, mapping, declaration, and registration in the global ICCA registry. It also reviews existing policies to strengthen the support to ICCAs and their management within ancestral domains, the institutionalization of ICCAs in the Philippines and developing networks with international organizations and other partners to support the Philippine initiatives.

The FPE embarked on a policy on sustainable integrated area development (SIAD) in 2004, the framework involves the promotion of SIAD awareness as well as review of sustainable agriculture policy framework. Part of FPE’s work is the National Environmental Agenda (NEA), a compilation of environmental issues from all over the country and is reviewed and updated on a biennial basis through consultations conducted with FPE’s regional groups. Part of the NEA is the indigenous knowledge, skills and practices (IKSP). The FPE is also working with IPs in their ancestral domains in the different parts of the archipelago. The Foundation also provides funding to projects that cater to IPs.

Tebtebba Foundation has been pushing for the recognition of IP rights and traditional and indigenous systems of environmental protection. ICCA can be a platform for IPs to exercise their rights within their ancestral domains. Towards this end, the Foundation offers its expertise in order to further develop the capacity of IPs in protecting their environment while enforcing their rights. One of the most important and current programs of Tebtebba believed to be a significant contribution to the development and strengthening of

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ICCAs in the Philippines is the Integrated and Holistic Approach to Indigenous Peoples’ Sustainable and Self-Determined Development which has four components: human rights-based approach; ecosystems approach; intercultural approach, which allows IPs to understand their different cultures, particularly in areas where different IP groups share converging territories; and the knowledge-based approach which provides that nature conservation should be based on the traditional knowledge of the IPs.

ICCA Consortium promotes the appropriate recognition of ICCAs, and appropriate support to them. The Consortium can assist IPs and local communities to find partners and develop initiatives to:

• restore and reaffirm IPs’ governance rights and management capacity over ICCAs damaged by a variety of policies and circumstances;

• get recognition for their ICCAs at national and international level (exchanges, communication, alerts, national federations, project proposals, training, dedicated events, advocacy for policy & legislation, etc.); and

• strengthen their ICCAs against impending threats.

Session 2 The results of the Subnational Workshops were presented, which include discussions on the typologies of ICCAs in the country, traditional management forms in ICCAs, and concerns on ICCAs. Mr. Samuel Balinhawang reported that there were 197 traditionally conserved areas identified during the three Subnational Workshops. These ICCAs were classified into 14 typologies: upland forest, traditionally occupied territories, mountain and mountain range, cave, farm, hill, gorge, lake, river/creek, waterfalls, spring, sea, mangrove forest, and other protected areas. These typologies are treasured not only for their territorial purposes but likewise for their priceless embodiment of the IP’s identity, ancestral and spiritual lineage and survival. Each typology is conserved, revered and protected given its intrinsic value, historical significance and indispensable role in the life of a tribe. The following reasons were given why IPs protect their ICCAs: Governance Territory, shelter, ritual/ worship areas, scared grounds, fortress, ancestral, heritage, responsibility to protect the area, historical significance, dwelling place of the spirits, healing place, wildlife sanctuary, ecological balance, learning laboratory, weather indicator,

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watersource, watershed, income-generation, livelihood, for daily use and to ensure continuity of the tribe’s existence.. Ms. Narcisa Dalupines of the Jalawudon-Bukidnon tribe presented the concerns of IPs in relation to managing their ICCAs. The concerns are classified into five themes, namely: Environmental, Sociocultural, Economic, Governance, and Peace and Order. Resolving these threats require collaborative and multisectoral partnerships among the IPs, government, nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs). Session 2 proceeded in the drafting of the Guiding Principles of Collaborative Work and Partnership for ICCAs. The IP leaders, government agencies and civil society groups identified and agreed on a set of principles on how these three sectors can work together with regard to ICCA management and governance. These guiding principles were set even as the stakeholders determined the course of action to take in the near future in order to jumpstart the promotion of ICCAs as strategy for the protection and management of, as well as development and peace-building in, biodiversity-rich but threatened territories in the country. Following the drafting of the Guiding Principles is the formulation of the Consolidated Action Plan. The Action Plan emphasized five crucial areas in ensuring the recognition and promotion of ICCAs in the Philippines: (i) establishment of partnership structures/mechanisms; (ii) documentation, mapping, declaration and registration of ICCAs; (iii) policy development; (iv) capacity development; and (v) financing. Some of the most pressing issues and concerns that need to be addressed in the near future were discussed during the open forum. They are as follows: recognition of universal values such as gender and human rights despite the primacy of IP customary laws (e.g. role of women in leadership and marriage, domestic violence, polygamy, etc.) Session 3 Various groups and institutions such as the Spanish Embassy, Energy Development Corporation (EDC), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), DENR-PAWB, Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF,) Tebtebba Foundation, and the German Institute for Development (GIZ) pledged to support ICCAs.

The Spanish Embassy, through Ms. Maria Molina, cited several initiatives with the Philippine government that promote the interest of

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IPs and biodiversity. These initiatives are focused on poverty alleviation and promoting inclusive development through the implementation of their own community plans. This is made possible through The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).

EDC, through Ms. Agnes De Jesus, stressed the importance of consultations with IPs and introduced the social acceptance process, which was eventually adopted by the government. The social acceptance process is manifested in the expansion of community relations wherein the IPs are involved in community development projects. They came up with HELEn- health, education, livelihood and environment - which altogether demonstrate the possibility of achieving goals from all stakeholders. EDC also started with the project called BERT (Barangay Emergency Response Team), which empowers the community through education and participatory responsiveness during typhoons and other natural disasters. Lastly, recognizing that most IP groups are consistent with their relationship with the land and the environment, EDC thus created a Cultural Heritage Policy, wherein this relationship of IP and environment is enhanced by establishing protocols and procedures in their company.

The primary goal of the Safeguards Policy of the World Bank is to

protect the rights of IPs through its primary principle of doing no harm. Ms. Lazaro noted that while the traditional and customary laws of the IPs are superior, there is still a need to examine if these laws truly promote and uphold the rights and interests of the IPs, citing the FPIC as an example. She challenged other stakeholders in ensuring that the guidelines being used to promote and protect the IPs would genuinely lead to inclusive development.

The recognition of the existence of ICCAs is in line with the spirit of the ADB’s Safeguard Policy Statement. According to Ms. Indira Simbolon, this recognition will facilitate a smooth implementation of ADB supported projects involving natural resources and environmental management. Che exoressed ADB’s support to the ICCA initiative, through the implementation of its newly approved project – the Integrated Natural Resources Management Project (INREMP).

IFAD affirmed its respect for indigenous peoples’ knowledge as the

primary champions of environmental protection and declared IFAD’s support to IPs on environmental issues and climate change and help them raise awareness through dialogues with stakeholders.

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DENR-PAWB acknowledged the inevitable links between ICCAs and indigenous territories and the customary laws and culture that sustain them. PAWB Assistant Director Nelson Devanadera affirmed that they will advance the cause of ICCAs to improve the quality of life of IPs through environmental protection and conservation.

PTFCF mentioned the three K’s that they recognize and appreciate among IPs: karapatan, kaalaman, karanasan (right, knowledge, experience) in caring and nurturing the forests, land and the greater environment. Atty. Jose Andres Canivel announced their readiness for dialogues to accept project proposals from the IPs for the protection of their forests and ICCAs. He encouraged the IPs to refer to their website (www.ptfcf.org) for the guidelines on project proposals or get in touch with their organization for further assistance and collaboration.

Tebtebba reiterated their capacity to provide training on integrated and sustainable approaches and self-determination to strengthen IP communities, which have three major approaches: human rights-based, katutubong kaalaman or indigenous knowledge approach; or intercultural. Moreover, Ms. Len Regpala stressed and shared the importance of sacred or holy places in the essence of becoming an IP.

The GIZ imparted its extensive experience in working with the IPs in the region, supporting the enhancement of ethnicity guidelines which are directed towards ICCA conservation and focused on the preservation of indigenous practices in biodiversity conservation. Ms. Anna Kramer expressed interest in exploring collaborative work with other stakeholders.

The Manila Declaration The presentation of the Manila Declaration for ICCAs and its ratification by the participants entailed responses from the legislature through Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III and from institutions such as UNDP and NCIP.

Deputy Speaker Tanada defined his role as one of the direct representatives of the people in the Government and referred to IPRA as a venue to fulfill Congress’ obligation to safeguard the right of IPs to self-determination. However, its implementation remains imperfect. He reiterated the need to revisit the laws pertaining to extractive industries and recognition of the role of IPs in managing the environment, with careful consideration to ancestral domain. He left a challenge for all stakeholders to translate observations to

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concrete plans of actions, hopeful to receive innovative proposals from them.

UNDP, through Ms. Grace Tena, shared the key priorities under its Country Programme for 2012-2016 which includes the following: i) support the NCIP and the land demarcation process; (ii) environmental projects undertaken through the GEF-Small Grants Programme modality; (iii) inclusive governance, access to justice and the human rights based approach to development; and (iv) capacity building and economic empowerment under the peace and development agenda. Ms. Tena also reiterated that the Small Grants Programme (SGP) will continue to prop up environmental initiatives of local communities with special attention to IPs. NCIP Chairman Pawid committed to send all stakeholders a reply in writing from the NCIP on every point raised in the Manila Declaration. She noted the readiness of IPs to accept the huge responsibility on ICCA, and challenged them to look beyond their customs and traditions and accept change.

Closing Remarks

Bae Helen Pojaras, a Manobo from Tagkiling, Butuan City, expressed gratitude to different groups and organizations, both local and international, that help and promote IPs. She notes that the full implementation of ICCAs would further contribute to the protection of ancestral domains. She thanked Rep. Tañada for the IPRA by cascading it from top to bottom. Bae Helen, however, identified the problem in implementation of the IPRA, which, after 15 years, has never been fully understood and felt by the IPs themselves.

DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio noted the IPs have been

practicing ever since sustainable development in their ICCAs and remain to be DENR’s best allies in sustainable development. He appreciated that the conference served as a venue to express the interests and concerns of the IPs and other stakeholders. He also highlighted Department Order No. 2 which recognizes the rights of IPs to their ancestral domains. On a final note, Usec. Ignacio affirmed DENR’s support to the Manila Declaration calling it a testament of preserving culture and thanked all their partners for the conference.

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Indigenous Community Conserved Areas: International and Local Prespectives

Dr. Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend, global coordinator of the ICCA Consortium, discussed the ICCA orientation and the overview on the international perspectives on the ICCA. The ICCA overview and experience in the local context were presented by KASAPI Secretary General Giovanni Reyes. Understanding both the international and local perspectives of the ICCAs is very relevant in the National Conference to facilitate discussion and unify points of view of the different stakeholders about the ICCAs. This discussion showed the connection between the global orientation and the country efforts situated in the Philippine context and past and current initiatives. As the ICCAs experience threats from different sources, the role of the Global Registry to protect ICCAs was emphasized by Ms. Colleen Corrigan of UNEP-WCMC. ICCA: An International Perspective (From the inputs of Dr. Borrini-Feyerabend, ICCA Consortium)

ICCA: An International Perspective presents a discussion on ICCA as perceived from internationally accepted standards. Dr. Borrini-Feyerabend discussed the main characteristics of ICCAs as well as the rationale for their protection and promotion. Moreover, the discussant proceeded to include the different threats to ICCAs, both external and internal, that undermine the ICCA’s pervasiveness. She also provided mechanisms on how to address these challenges and threats. The different responses to these threats come from the local IPs and communities themselves, from government policies, from non-government stakeholders, and also from the international community. A Handbook for the Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas Registry by the UN Environment Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP–WCMC) defines ICCAs as “natural and modified ecosystems containing significant biodiversity values and ecological services, voluntarily conserved by (sedentary and mobile) indigenous and local communities,

DR. GRAZIA BORRINI-FEYERABEND is the global coordinator of the ICCA Consortium, president of the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation and vice chair of IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy. She has been working on community rights, conservation, sustainable livelihoods and public health for nearly 30 years, focusing in the last decade on governance of protected areas and the appropriate recognition and support to ICCAs. Dr Borrini-Feyerabend has worked in over 50 countries, authored, co-authored or edited about 20 volumes of “collective thinking,” and organized international gatherings that fostered innovative and progressive steps in the policy and practice of conservation.

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through customary laws or other effective means.” This definition is similar to the definition of protected areas (PAs) as areas that have a lot of biodiversity values in them, as provided by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2003. The difference, however, is that PAs are protected by the state, while ICCAs are conserved voluntarily by indigenous peoples and local communities according to their customary laws or any other effective means. In a more humanized manner, Dr. Feyerabend regarded ICCAs as “the biocultural diversity jewels of the world”. Three Main Characteristics of ICCAs Three main characteristics have to be satisfied by a territory for it to be classified as an ICCA. First, a well-defined area or territory must be occupied by an indigenous community. There has to be a strong relationship between the two which may be defined by a survival need, a historical relationship, identity, and other possible elements of a very strong relationship between a territory and its occupants. The second characteristic of an ICCA is that its indigenous people or local community makes important decisions about the management of the area or territory. The third characteristic is that the decisions taken by the community about their natural resources lead to the conservation of nature. Conservation of nature could mean strict preservation, such as those of the sacred groves, sacred lakes, springs. It may also mean sustainable use and restoration. Why should we care about the ICCAs?

1. ICCAs are successful examples of collective decision-making about nature - the oldest form of “conservation” on earth – and are closely related to people’s livelihood, culture, and identity.

2. They are found everywhere in the world and they span all types of ecosystems. ICCAs may have similarities in terms of characteristics but they may also be very diverse.

Coverage of ICCAs The definition of ICCA covers a vast variety of sites, which include indigenous territories, indigenous protected areas, cultural land- and seascapes, sacred sites and habitats of sacred animals, migration routes of nomadic herders/mobile indigenous peoples, bio-cultural heritage territories, sustainably-managed wetlands, fishing grounds and water bodies, sustainably-managed resource reserves (biomass, medicinal plants, timber and non-timber forest products), and community-managed areas. ICCAs protect an enormous range of natural environments, wildlife species and pastoral and agricultural landscapes, managed through a wide diversity of

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institutions and methods both traditional and contemporary. The total area covered by protected areas under this type of governance is not currently clear and as a result is likely to be highly underestimated. Why Support ICCAs? ICCAs do not only conserve nature but also secure livelihoods. They encompass a huge range of ecosystems, habitats, species and genetic resources and maintain ecosystem functions and provide biodiversity connectivity in the landscape/seascape. They secure energy, food, water, fodder and income for millions of people. The estimated coverage of ICCAs is comparable to those covered by government-managed protected areas (12 percent of terrestrial surface). They also embody the capacity of communities to adapt and be resilient in the face of many environmental changes. ICCAs are based on rules and institutions “tailored to the context” (bio-cultural diversity) and flexible culture-related responses. They are built on collective ecological knowledge and capacities, including sustainable use of wild resources and maintenance of agro-biodiversity, which have stood the test of time. They are typically designed to maintain livelihood resources in time of stress, such as during severe climate events, war and natural disasters. ICCAs are an occasion of empowerment for indigenous peoples and local and rural communities. They also serve as a source of pride of the local youth. It gives them a sense of identity and belonging. ICCAs play a crucial role in securing the rights of IPs and local communities to their land and natural resources through local governance – de jure and/or de facto. These ICCAs are the foundation of cultural identity for countless IPs and local communities throughout the world. The ICCAs help prevent excessive urban migration. Threats and Challenges to ICCAs External Threats to ICCAs

Development aggression In recent years, ICCAs have been under threat, by large scale economic development and infrastructure projects like urbanization projects, road structures, fossil fuel extraction, mining, and logging, among others, causing destruction or damage to the detriment of the ICCA areas.

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Expropriation and encroachment of lands There are also instances when national governments expropriate community lands and made them available for private use. Land grabbing issues and conflicts with neighboring communities are common. Moreover, outsiders have the tendency to go into ICCA territories to poach animals and exploit the biodiversity contained therein for personal gains. According to Dr. Borrini-Feyerabend, there are instances when even the supposed “good intention” of government serves as a threat to ICCAs through various “conservation initiatives, in particular for the creation of state-governed protected areas.”

Violence and/or war Even armed conflict in neighboring countries or territories negatively impact ICCAs. In cases of war and violent conflicts, not only are the ICCAs subjected to destruction, but they also serve as settlement areas for refugees.

Natural and environmental threats Climate change also impacts negatively on the ICCAs, particularly on the coastal areas. Natural disasters that wreak havoc in ICCAs also abound. Air, water, and chemical pollution from extractive industries as well as the spread of invasive/exotic species also threaten ICCAs.

Inappropriate recognition by governments may result to the destruction of ICCAs. This is particularly true for government recognitions without proper consultation with indigenous communities, such as imposed classification of ICCAs as “protected areas” without honouring the traditional governments, in effect, may devalue and de-motivate the traditional governance systems. This is a very subtle danger for the ICCAs. The very moment that ICCAs gain recognition from the government may very well be the start when ICCAs die. Forced incorporation into protected areas, or the imposition of “modern” governance structures in an otherwise indigenous or local structure, threatens the very nature of ICCAs.

Internal Threats to ICCAs There are also threats within the communities of ICCAs. These internal threats arise as a result of the interaction of the IPs within their territories with those outside the ICCAs, or from changes in the immediate society of the IPs. A most serious internal threat is the erosion of traditional knowledge

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and wisdom on the management of the environment and natural resources, of cultural specificities related to that, of learning processes within communities (elders and youth) where acculturation obviously changed the values and alienated the younger generations from their roots, and of the capacity of communities to decide together and act in accordance with those decisions. There are cases of active acculturation of IPs in ICCAs. The formal education programs which are not adapted to local cultures, evangelization, and mainstream media influence the lifestyle and the world views of the indigenous people in the community. From a communal cultural behavior, their values are being changed into a consumerist culture. Responses to the Threats Responses to these threats to ICCAs are coming from three sectors: the IPs and local communities (LCs), the international community through international policies, and the national government.

Responses from IPs and Local Communities

IPs and LCs have banded together and engaged in internal organizing and analyzing of the conditions within their own respective areas and territories. These groups are undertaking the following activities: (1) formation of action research committees and study groups to find out more profoundly what is needed to be done or addressed; (2) inventory of species to catalogue and provide for a more precise accounting of the biodiversity contained within the ICCA; and (3) mapping and demarcation of territories. Moreover, trainings and workshops are also being conducted in order to have a venue for sharing and dialogue. The interface between IP elders and the youth would serve as a mechanism for systematic transference of indigenous knowledge and practice. Information dissemination as well as transparency through the mass media are also carried out by IPs and LCs to show to others the current status as well as the potentials of the ICCA. It also serves as a means to show what is being done, and how resources are being utilized. In order to have a wider reach and attract champions and gain commitments, IP groups establish relationships with people in the media and public relations.

Diplomatic and legal actions also serve as a tool. National alliances are being formed to strengthen and serve as support group for the ICCAs. Political lobbying and engagement in public hearings are also

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done. Alliances and lobbying to international multilateral organizations are also being carried out. The IPs and local communities also employ legal actions to respond to threats. They call on agencies to enforce the laws that strengthen their claim to their lands and territories.

In more difficult cases, IPs have taken a more aggressive stance to forward their cases. They have organized protests, demonstrations, marches, picket lines, roadblocks, and other forms of civil disobedience.

In general, IPs and LCs have been strengthening themselves, enhancing their capacities and demanding that their own institutions are recognized as rightful governing bodies for their ancestral domains and ICCAs.

Responses from the International Community

ICCA and International Biodiversity Regime

At the Fifth World Parks Congress in Durban in 2003, the notion that the governance of protected areas must be systematic was emphasized. Moreover, it highlighted the importance and role of IPs and local communities in the protection and conservation efforts. IPs and local communities were given the central role in the governance of protected areas During the Congress,IPs were successful in their bid to be provided with protection. They have argued successfully that advancing the interests and protection of IPs would not diminish conservation outcomes. It would rather advance these efforts.

Several recommendations were forwarded in the Fifth World Parks Congress. One recommendation was the endorsement of good governance as the governing principle in the effective management of the protected areas. Moreover, it was recognized that good governance has to take into consideration the local contexts such as socioeconomic, cultural, and historical factors that affect protected areas and the IPs who govern them.

Another important recommendation is the recognition given to IPs in the governance of protected areas. It was recognized that no single governance type can be made solely applicable to a given protected area. As such, it was recommended that at least four governance types should be recognized under the IUCN protected area categories. These are government-managed, co-managed (multi-stakeholder management), privately managed, and community-managed (Community Conserved Areas or CCAs).

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Figure 1. Governance types versus IUCN protected area matrix

Source: Borrini-Feyerabend, 2012

Recommendation V.26 of the Fifth World Parks Congress in 2003 highlighted the importance and relevance of community conserved areas. It called for the protection of CCAs from threats. Furthermore, governments were made to ensure that “official policies, guidelines, and principles recognize the diverse local (formal or informal) arrangements developed by communities, whether on their own or in collaboration with other actors, for the management of CCAs.”

Another recommendation dealt primarily with the IPs and protected areas. It recommended that in future endeavours, rights of IPs should always be recognized and respected. Moreover, it called on government and all other concerned agencies to cease all involuntary resettlement and expulsions of IPs in conserved areas. It also called for the protection of the intellectual properties of IPs regarding their traditional knowledge.

There were also other resolutions passed by the IUCN that call for the recognition and protection of ICCAs such as the Program of Works on Protected Areas (PoWPA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2004, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in 2007, the CBD

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agreements on Nagoya and Aichi Targets in 2010, the creation of the ICCA registry at UNEP-WCMC, among others.

Core Messages of ICCAs According to Dr. Borrini-Feyerabend the following are the core messages regarding ICCAs:

1. Conservation cannot be done by experts alone. Conservation needs the capacities, expertise, concerns, and engagement of society as a whole.

2. Conservation needs to pay more attention to the crucial ties between biological and cultural diversity, and to the conditions that allow communities to be empowered to conserve nature.

3. Conservation needs equity. It cannot be that some parts of society will pay all the costs and other parts receive the benefits. A fair sharing of the costs and benefits of conservation, i.e., preserving biodiversity, sustainably using natural resources, and restoring degraded ecosystems, has to be established.

4. Conservation needs to respect human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights. “Do no harm” principle should be adhered to at all times.

The Role of Governance in ICCAs Good governance is central to the conservation efforts. Governance is different from management. The former entails the principle of knowing who decides what to be done and how to do things, as opposed to management that seeks to answer only the question of what to do with natural resources. Confusing the two as the same would suggest that only people with technical skills and expertise can manage resources.

MANAGEMENT GOVERNANCE

Understanding and monitoring the phenomena at stake via traditional and “scientific” knowledge

Developing a strategy and applying means (human, technical, financial) to reach some given aims

Planning, scheduling, using right capacities and taking action

Concerned if the results are obtained Management effectiveness is its

measurement and outcome.

Power, authority, responsibility about key decisions (formal & informal ways)

Human relations Conflicts, open and hidden, formal

and informal It looks at how decisions are taken. It considers how equitably,

transparently, purposefully, effectively, and accountably resources are conserved.

Concerned if rights are respected when decisions are made

Its end point is “good governance”.

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Governance Types in Community Conserved Areas During the 2003 Durban World Parks Congress, four main governance types for official protected areas and conserved areas were identified and recognized. All these governance types are legitimate and important in the conservation efforts. In discussing the governance types, the central question expounded was “Who makes the decisions?” In government-managed conservation, the different agencies and instrumentalities are the key decision-makers. They may be stratified at various levels. Federal, state, municipal, and/or subnational levels of government are responsible and accountable for managing the protected area. Moreover, they are the one deciding the conservation objectives as well its implementation. In some cases, they may even be the ones who own several protected areas. They may delegate, however, the conservation efforts to nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and other conservation groups. Shared conservation is being decided by various parties together. There is a shared governance, co-management, and collaborative management between and among the parties involved. There may be instances when decisions have to be made by one agency, but these have to be consultations as mandated by law. It may also be the case in joint management where decisions emanate from a body sitting together. Shared management is typical in areas that straddle two political boundaries. Privately managed conservation is led by the owners of the concerned land and natural resources. The owners may either be individuals or corporations. NGOs may also be able to acquire conservation areas. Indigenous and community conserved areas are managed and governed by the rightfully concerned IPs and communities. Conservation strategies and relationships in ICCAs may be complex wherein some components of the area may be collectively owned or managed, while some areas may be managed by certain clans or tribes. Since the Durban Congress, governance by indigenous and local communities have been recognized and supported. The CBD-PoWPA (COP 7) and the following decisions on protected areas at COP 8, 9, and 10 call parties to support innovative types of governance for protected areas, such as ICCAs. It recognized the contribution of ICCAs within the national protected area system through acknowledgement in national legislation or other effective means. COP 10 of CBD—Aichi Target 11 is a very important target. It calls for the urgency of meeting the quantitative targets by 2020. By 2020, at least 17

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percent of terrestrial and inland water and 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved. The conservation should be made through well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures that are effectively and equitably managed, and ecologically representative. ICCAs count for the Aichi target both within and outside a national system of protected areas. Government Responses The old approach of governments when they see the potential of an ICCA in conserving biodiversity is to put a protected area on top of the ICCA. This destroys the very essence of an ICCA. The moment they put up new structures in ICCAs, the ICCAs are eroded. There are more ICCA-friendly approaches that have been used by government such as the Program of Works on Protected Areas (PoWPA) multistakeholder committees that undertake situation analysis of governance and inventories of ICCAs as well as research and participatory action research. Government can also implement specific programs, projects, support and incentives for ICCAs to meet their needs. Policies and legislation for formal recognition and support of ICCAs within or outside the official protected area system can also be spearheaded and adopted by the government. Country Experiences in ICCAs In Italy, the government was reluctant in the full recognition of ICCAs. However, successive amendments were made in various laws on regional and national protected areas allowing the handing over of the governance of protected areas to a collective private entity. This was done to accommodate a special ICCA – the World Heritage Site. Traditional collective institutions like the Regole are recognized as possible protected area governance bodies, which mean that ICCAs are fully legal in the Italian system, though this possibility is poorly known and utilized. In Australia, the participation of the IPs was very limited for some time. The IPs were not given the chance to be responsible for the protection of conserved areas. After a legal decision that recognized the collective property rights of the aboriginal people of Australia, things have improved substantially. The national protected area system recognizes the ICCAs of IPs as “indigenous protected areas”. A notable lesson shown here is that the IPs themselves are the ones seeking the recognition they so rightfully deserve. Interestingly, 25 percent of Australia’s protected estate is in shared governance schemes. The indigenous communities under these schemes

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report better health, social cohesion and higher school attendance than other comparable communities that do not have ICCAs. One of the strongest laws for the recognition of the rights of the IPs is enacted in Colombia. IPs have collective property rights on a very large part of the country. IPs are given autonomous governance and full respect for their cultures. Their resguardos cover 34 million hectares of land comprising almost 30 percent of the national territory and 80 percent of the forest cover. Afro-Colombian communities, on the other hand, collectively own five million hectares of land. Many ICCAs exist in Colombia, including those jointly conserved by different IPs. Yet, ICCAs are not recognized as part of the national protected area system. A protected area can either follow a shared governance scheme or a wholly government-managed system. IPs, who want to protect their lands from mining, need to transform their ICCA into a government-protected area because the subsoil is the property of the State and not their own. Some indigenous groups think that this is betrayal, a selling out of their rights to government. Safeguarding ICCAs The crucial thing about ICCAs is that they are only as good as the community and indigenous peoples that are governing them. Community integrity and strength are essential to the life and survival of any ICCA. However, advocates and allies from civil society play crucial supporting roles. National governments have obligations to international covenants and agreements vis-à-vis ICCAs. International organizations, instruments, and projects can help them fulfil such obligations. Governments can officially recognize or certify ICCAs through a variety of legal and policy instruments. These policy and legal instruments for ICCA governance has to be identified by the IPs and the communities. Particularly important to note is that ICCAs are recognized as coherent land, water, and natural resource units governed by self-defined communities under a common title (property or right of use) that is inalienable, indivisible, and established in perpetuity. This recognition seems to have been providing the best possible result in all parts of ICCAs that are considered. Moreover, free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) should be obtained in all matters regarding ICCAs. Under appropriate conditions, and provided they maintain their own governance institutions, ICCAs can benefit from being officially recognized as protected areas. ICCAs that have been incorporated into official systems

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without the FPIC of the concerned communities should be recognized as ICCAs and provided respect and support, as appropriate. Positive collaboration should be sought between the relevant protected areas authorities and communities. External support to ICCAs can either be positive or negative. Though with good intentions, outsiders who wanted to help IPs in managing their ICCAs may encroach on the governance of IPs on their ICCAs. Areas where support can be provided are on enforcing rules, judgement and sanctions for violators; developing local capacities to respond to threats and manage conflicts; providing opportunities for joint learning; and fostering good governance at all levels. The negative impact of this support may come in the form of predesigned frameworks that people from the outside bring with them. Financial incentives for conservation can support ICCAs, but they should be used with great caution, seeking to maintain and strengthen community independence and integrity. There may be instances where

resources poured into ICCAs threaten the stability of indigenous systems. ICCAs from the Philippine Perspective (From the inputs of Mr. Giovanni Reyes, KASAPI) ICCAs have been said to be in existence in the Philippines long before it was formalized and institutionalized by international multilateral institutions. The different conservationist practices of the numerous groups of IPs in the country are testament to this. ICCAs are a far more superior conservation mechanism which can enhance common conservation practices. Legal bases of ICCAs in the Philippines and how these may be protected were also discussed.

ICCAs have existed since time immemorial within the ancestral domains (ADs) of the indigenous communities in the Philippines. In practice, ICCAs and ancestral domains are co-terminous. These ICCAs can be found in almost all ecosystems within IP territories. Due to simple lifestyles and needs, and unique relations with the environment,

MR. GIOVANNI SOLIMAN BETE REYES belongs to the Sagada-born Kankana-ey Igorot tribe. He is currently the national coordinator and secretary general of the Koalisyon ng Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas, Inc. (KASAPI). He has been actively involved in indigenous peoples’ rights advocacy for more than 25 years He was the chief-of-staff of the NCIP Chairman from 2003-2005, and director of the Presidential Task Force on Indigenous Peoples from 2000-2001. Mr. Reyes has been invited to speak in various national and international conferences on different IP issues and concerns such as 3D mapping of ancestral domain, IPRA, ancestral domain titling and management plan, conflict resolutions of tribal leaders, among others.

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the forests within IP communities are conserved. Many IP communities in the country maintain conservation areas to sustain their nutritional needs. IPs get almost all of their basic needs from the forests, the rivers, and other sources within their indigenous territory. For example, the Palaw’an reserves certain areas of the forest for seasonal hunting which is regulated by traditional rules. This reflects the IP’s concept of time. There is a certain period allotted for hunting, but there is a longer period allotted for the recuperation and reproduction of the hunted animals. This system serves as an internal indigenous control in order to prevent the over-exploitation and over-use of resources. The Tagbanwas, on the other hand, have specific rules that regulate activities near the caves where rituals are regularly done by local shamans. Caves and mountains are treated like cathedrals and sacred grounds. The Agtas of Northeastern Luzon also have very strict rules that regulate movement and activities near water sources. This seems to be the reason why IPs forbid access to places which they consider “dangerous.” Elders often shun areas where malevolent spirits are said to reside. This internal control in the use of spaces is instrumental in maintaining the pristine condition of IP territories. Over time however, drastic changes have occurred. The role of IP communities as stewards and caretakers of the environment has been slowly eroded and replaced by governments and private organizations. The control of the ICCAs had been removed from indigenous communities. Conflicting national policies, commercialization, strict competition and indifference have exacted their toll on the ability of indigenous Filipinos to sustain their management and governance of conserved areas. Traditional mechanisms of conservation are now being altered and replaced. The lack of understanding of traditional governance of the IPs and prejudice towards the skills of IP communities in managing the environment has been prevalent. The indigenous ways of the IPs have been regarded as “backward.” When the tribal elders try to enlighten the younger generations, they are rebutted, saying there are newer and better ways in managing and doing things. The link of indigenous culture to their environment has been broken and permanently lost in many communities. This was done through legal fiat, at times, through deceit and often through threats of legal action and direct intimidation and violence.

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With the passing and erosion of IP control on the ICCAs, these territories are now experiencing environmental destruction. One example is an ICCA in Zambales which was transformed by a local government into a dumpsite. Small-scale mining and other similar extractive industries also contribute to the destruction of ICCAs. Many projects have also intruded the homes of many IPs causing destruction of their ICCAs. Some projects which sought to improve the livelihood and economic condition of IPs are at the same time instrumental to the destruction of the ICCAs. ICCAs are Superior Compared to Other Conservation Mechanisms Studies support the claim that ICCAs are better protected compared with those protected by other mechanisms. A World Bank study in 2007 by Andrew Nelson and Kenneth Chomitz on protected areas and reduction of tropical deforestation using forest fire activity as a measure of deforestation showed that:

Indigenous areas are shown to reduce forest fire incidence by 16.3–16.5 percentage points, more than two and a half times as much as the crude estimates (5.9 percent) and twice as effective as any other group in the matched results, with a greater estimated avoided fire pixel area than strict, multi-use, and unknown combined… In Latin America, where indigenous areas can be identified, they are found to have extremely large impacts on reducing deforestation— much larger than a naïve, uncontrolled comparison would suggest.

Similarly, this claim is also noted by a UN study on global outlook on the environment. Some studies show that the levels of protection are actually higher under community or indigenous management than those under government management alone. A study conducted by Manuel Guarigata in 2011 on forest ecology and management has found that the level of forest destruction is higher in areas declared as “strictly protected” compared to community conserved areas. In the study, declaring a forest as a protected area does not guarantee its non-degradation. Protected areas are all the more degraded when compared to those that are managed by local communities. Legal Bases for ICCAs in the Philippines The protection of the environment as well as of the IPs is enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution states that “the State shall protect indigenous peoples to preserve and develop their cultures and traditions.”

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Following this constitutional requirement, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (RA 8371) or IPRA was enacted in 1997 to recognize, promote and protect the rights and roles of the IPs inside their ancestral domain areas. They have autonomy in the management of their ancestral domains and that any developments or infrastructure programs in their territories must have their FPIC). Chapter 3 Sec.7b of the IPRA states that IPs have the right to manage and conserve natural resources within the territories and uphold the responsibilities for future generations.

Source: National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997. http://www.ncip.gov.ph/Issuances/IPRA.aspx The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) provides the right to maintain, protect and have access in privacy to religious and cultural sites (Article 12); the right to maintain and strengthen their distinctive spiritual relationship with their traditionally owned or otherwise occupied and used lands, territories, waters and coastal seas and other resources (Article 25) while Article 29 gives the right to the conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their lands or territories and resources. Meanwhile, the CBD, signed by the Philippines, provides in Section J that “indigenous peoples governance and conservation of environment must be recognized.” The indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) have the right to identify their priorities for conservation and development using traditional management systems. However, there is still very limited respect and recognition of IP rights and indigenous knowledge systems and their ability to manage and

Republic Act No. 8371 – The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 In general, the IPRA seeks to recognize, promote and protect the rights of the IPs. These include the Right to Ancestral Domain and Lands; Right to Self-Governance and Empowerment; Social Justice and Human Rights; and the Right to Cultural Integrity. The advent of the IPRA Law has overshadowed speculations and unfounded doubts that the tribal peoples and communities in the Philippines are abandoned or neglected and that they are only meant to exist outside the periphery of development, much less a part of the national life. Adversely, the IPs who are randomly distributed and have established new pockets of communities from Batanes to Basilan are making a new wave of cultural revolution that is zeroed in on the four-fold areas of their rights and welfare as stated earlier.

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govern ICCAs. At the same time, support to ICCs to document and sustain their ICCAs barely exists. Protecting ICCAs from Threats

The UNEP-WCMC recognizes the threats to the ICCAs of the world. Protected Areas of the UNEP-WCMC Senior Program Officer Colleen Corrigan talked about the Global Registry of protected areas, which has been in existence for 30 years. The global registry serves as the central database for the earth’s biodiversity and protected areas, The ICCAs are now part of the UNEP-WCMC’s database necessary for decision-making. When a conserved area is registered, there would be an increased chance of protection generated at the international level.

The Global Registry as Protection of ICCAs against Threats (From the inputs of Ms. Colleen Corrigan, UNEP-WCMC)

Ms. Corrigan provided a run through of the global ICCA registry: a brief historical perspective on the origins of the registry, the internal workings of the registry, the organizations behind, and how they help in the conservation efforts. She emphasized the importance of consultations with different groups to ensure that the contents of the registry are complete and comprehensive. The ICCA registry can be accessed at http://www.iccaregistry.org. The website contains an overview of projects, links, global maps, information about each ICCA in pilot countries (case studies of ICCAs). There are also maps and statistics of ICCAs at a national scale. Furthermore, the presentation gives an overview on how the registry can be utilized by different countries and how the said registry may help in their own respective efforts. The UNEP-WCMC is the body taking charge of the ICCA registry. It is the biodiversity arm of the UNEP located in Cambridge, United Kingdom with 90 scientific and technical staff doing extensive research on climate change, business and biodiversity, protected areas, among others. UNEP-WCMC’s mission is to

MS. COLLEEN CORRIGAN was trained in field biology, ornithology, and marine science. She gained her master’s degree in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since 2007, she has served as senior programme officer in Protected Areas at the United Nations Environment Programme’s World Conservation Monitoring Centre in Cambridge, UK. Her portfolio includes work on integration of traditional knowledge and science for marine protection in the Pacific Ocean basin and managing the Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) Registry. In 2009, she was an Asia Pacific Leadership Fellow at the East West Center in Hawaii.

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evaluate and highlight the many values of biodiversity and put authoritative biodiversity knowledge at the centre of decision-making. As such, UNEP-WCMC maintains a link with national governments and environmental NGOs.

Figure 2. 1981: 40,000 protected areas covering 7,000,000 km2

Figure 3. In 2011: 180,000+ protected areas covering 12% of the world.

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The World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) has been in existence for 30 years. One of its main tasks is to manage information about protected areas at a global level. When the 1977 UN List was published, the WDPA had over 25,000 protected areas, by 1980 that number had almost doubled. There were then 40,000 protected areas covering 7,000,000 km2 (Figure 2). Thirty years after, there are now more than 180,000 protected areas covering 12 percent of the world (Figure 3).

The WDPA evolved in 1962 from the UN list of national parks and equivalent reserves and was subsequently produced 12 times (Figure 4). The UN list was given its mandate through a resolution at the UN General Assembly’s 16th Session on Economic Development and Nature Conservation that endorses the recognition of national parks and equivalent reserves as an important factor in the efficient use of natural resources. The database itself was established in 1981 and remains the most comprehensive reference source on protected areas worldwide with terrestrial and marine protected areas. Deriving information and maintaining the international database- the WDPA- requires a lot of networking with various organizations. It is managed in partnership with the UNEP and the IUCN. Data is always obtained from an official government source. If the data comes from a nongovernmental source, the UNEP-WCMC tries to facilitate official recognition of the dataset by the national governments. Nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) are often working with national governments to create the data and therefore are able to provide UNEP-WCMC with data that had been recognised as ‘official’ by the government itself.

Figure 4. Evolution of the WDPA

The CBD calls for 17 percent terrestrial target and 10 percent marine target on the ICCAs to be met by 2020. However, based on the data available in

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the registry, global protected area coverage has a long way to go to meet the said targets. As of 2010, protected terrestrial area has only covered 12.7 percent, while protected marine areas are only four percent.

Figure 5. Marine and terrestrial targets vis actual marine and terrestrial protected

The IUCN governance of protected areas matrix serves as a significant catalogue in relation to the registry. It allows for an easily discernible map on what governance types are being utilized in the different regions of the world. It is also necessary to refer from the previous definition of protected areas as having either legal backing from governments, or having been effectively designated by communities and indigenous groups living in and around those areas or by international secretariats such as UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - World Heritage Site (UNESCO-WHS) or Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) and Ramsar. These differ from the areas of conservation value identified by NGOs and the research community available through Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT). There are different designations of protected areas in the WDPA—national, regional, and international. The WDPA shows, in summarized form, all national designations (federal, provincial, state, municipal, local, community, indigenous, etc) numbering over 1,000 items in this category. The next level is the Regional which includes legal backing such as Natura 2000 sites in Europe where an EU Directive makes it lawful to designate Sites of Community Importance and Special Protection Areas. There are also more localised regional designations such as Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance under the Barcelona Convention or ASEAN Heritage Parks where a gold star recognition is applied to existing protected areas. There are also designated international convention sites.

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Figure 6. IUCN Management Categories and Protected Areas

The maps presented do not show the whole picture or the total number of ICCAs in the world. Global reporting underestimates the ICCAs, which are not included in the maps of the WDPA. There is no current global dataset on ICCAs too. Hence, there is a lack of synthesized knowledge on understanding ICCAs, especially at the global level. The registry initially came about as the ICCA Consortium was also being conceptualized in 2008. The original purpose is to have a comprehensive database that will assist in the documentation of ICCAs and build knowledge on them. Building the registry underwent two stages: Phase 1 was implemented in February 2009 to September 2010 when the structure was being created; and Phase 2 which is still ongoing (October 2010 to October 2012). Moreover, the ICCA toolkit started being implemented in April 2012 and is expected to be finished in December 2012. The ICCA Project aims to increase awareness; build a global knowledge base about ICCAs; document biodiversity values through maps and databases; enhance understanding of purposes and impacts; and provide evidence to inform global decisions through the maps, research and the different publications.

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There have been pilot areas for the ICCA registry. The Philippines, Fiji, Kenya, and Mexico are the countries included in the pilot phase. Valuation reviews were done at both the national and site levels. As a result of the pilot phase, the initiative was able to produce a handbook for the ICCA registry; a preliminary FPIC process and documentation; an ICCA registry website; case studies and country summaries; and analyses as well as maps. The selection of the countries to be included was based on the following criteria:

• Availability of data and information • Quality of the contacts in the country, in terms of availability of

information and willingness to participate and contribute to the Registry

• Quality of national datasets for the subsequent analysis. • Relationship with other current studies related to REDD (Reduced

Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation) and forested countries

• Diversity of ecosystems covered • Regional representation and size of country • Presence of SGP contacts

Central to the project is the importance of consultations with different groups to ensure that the contents of the registry are complete and comprehensive. There is a variety of information that goes into the database. The name (English and indigenous/local language); the community/ies; designations; date of establishment; IUCN Protected Areas Management Category; governance; purpose; and physical boundaries are just some of the information included. It is also possible to overlay these data with Habitat (mangrove & seagrasses, forest cover, coral reefs), biodiversity (AZE, KBA, IBA, WWF Ecoregions, IUCN Red List), and global data (Carbon stocks, Water valuation, Human health indices, Linguistic diversity) to come up with clearer picture and value. The ICCA registry initiative came up with an ICCA website which can be accessed at http://www.iccaregistry.org. The website contains an overview of projects, links, global maps, among other information. It also contains basic information about each ICCA in pilot countries. There are also maps and statistics of ICCAs at a national scale. The case studies of ICCAs in the pilot countries contain information on the context, participatory maps/videos, interviews, still photos, and stories.

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Ways to Contribute to the ICCA Registry There are two ways by which local communities, governments, NGOs and indigenous peoples can contribute to the registry. The contributions come in the form of case studies and answers to a set of questionnaires. This process will encourage people to share their stories and to let the whole world know of what is happening in an ICCA. The case study provides visual orientation to ICCA – photos, YouTube/Google videos, maps; the story of the

How to Register an ICCA in the Registry

OPTION 1) REGISTER ONLINE Step 1. Sign up online with a username (the name of your ICCA) and a password. After your participation is authorized, you will receive an email with a link to the questionnaire. Click on the link to begin the questionnaire. Step 2. Follow the online instructions to complete the ICCA Registry questionnaire, which includes providing an electronic signature in the FPIC section. You can save the information and return to the questionnaire later by logging on with your username and password details. (Note: if the ICCA is already recognised by national legislation or a protected area system, the community should work with government representatives where possible to provide spatial and other information.) Step 3. Submit spatial data (such as GIS layers or maps), photos and relevant documents (such as management plans, community agreements and documented awards) as requested in the online questionnaire. Step 4. If you are registering more than one ICCA, you will need to follow Steps 1 and 2 above to access another questionnaire. OPTION 2) REGISTER OFFLINE Step 1. Download and complete the FPIC Form with key signature(s) of community members. Step 2. Download the ICCA Registry questionnaire and complete it with your ICCA community’s information. The questionnaire is available to download in PDF format (to print and then scan or post) or Word format (to fill in electronically and send via email). Step 3. Email the completed FPIC form and questionnaire to Registry managers at iccaregistry@unep-wcmc.org or send the filled in questionnaires to the UNEP-WCMC office. Spatial data (such as GIS layers or maps), photos and relevant documents (such as management plans) are optional but can also be submitted by email to iccaregistry@unep-wcmc.org. Address: United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre 219 Huntingdon Road Cambridge, UK CB3 0DL Source: http://www.iccaregistry.org

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ICCA as well as its history. It narrates the collective experience. The questionnaire, on the other hand, is more fact-based— how large the ICCA is, how many people are living there, its physical characteristics, etc. The questionnaire compiles the important data needed for informed decisions. It also generates quantitative results. How Can Countries Utilize Information from the ICCA Registry To illustrate how to generate an innovative mapping for documenting conservation, the Philippines, as a pilot country, can be used as an example. Several possible indicators can be used. Among these are the following: total area coverage; carbon stocks; endangered species and special habitats; important bird areas; human population; sea level rise; linguistic diversity; and crop diversity, among others. Using the abovementioned indicators, several important statistics on Philippine ICCAs can be generated:

• 12.46 percent of the Philippines’ terrestrial areas and 0.44 percent of marine areas are covered by a total 550 ICCAs (including Ancestral Domain). When ICCAs are combined with other protected areas, these figures jump to 21.12 percent and 1.58 percent respectively.

• Over 75 percent of all endangered and critically endangered marine and terrestrial IUCN Red List fauna species in the Philippines have ranges that extend into ICCAs.

• Out of the total 15 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites in the Philippines, 10 fall within 50 km of ICCAs, showing spatial relevance (1 out of 15 Alliance for Zero Extinction sites falls within an ICCA).

• Over 1/5 of Important Bird Areas (21.6 percent) and key biodiversity areas (20.2 percent) are located within ICCAs, demonstrating their significance in globally important networks for protection of biodiversity.

• 70.2 percent of terrestrial ICCAs have closed forest cover (greater than 40 percent canopy cover), 19 percent higher than the Philippines as a whole.

• A projected 2.03 percent of the Philippines terrestrial area would be submerged by a one meter sea level rise. An estimated 60 percent of the Philippine population live in coastal areas where they are likely to be affected by this possibility, depending on the quality of habitats managed in marine areas.

Governance of the ICCA Registry The governance of the ICCA registry is composed of members of international organizations, technical experts as well as indigenous peoples,

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the members of the ICCA consortium, and other important actors. The membership in the ICCA registry management is diverse; hence, decisions are arrived at through consensus. The next step for the registry is its ISO Certification, which will show that the processes of the registry are of international standards.

Figure 7. Governance of the ICCA Registry

ICCA Advisory Committee 

Steering Committee 

Subgroups: 1. Peer Review Mechanism 2. Free Prior Informed 

Consent Process  3. Registry Structure 

Decisions ICCA Registry Management 

UNEP­WCMC 

Relevant Experts 

ICCA Consortium 

CBD CoP 11 India 

Considerations for Participation in the ICCA Registry Database Participating in the ICCA registry database has both benefits as well as limitations. Participation in the database:

• Raises awareness of community conservation approaches, processes and impacts at international level

• Enhances documentation of ICCA sites and systems, which may also assist with securing legal status

• Safeguards sensitive information submitted to the ICCA Registry database: Communities choose the extent to which their information is shared and can register without sharing any information to an external audience

• Documents the story and point location of ICCAs through online case studies and interactive map.

• Allows communities to share photos, videos, management plans and other types of documentation

• Increases opportunities for communities to learn about each other and share insights from their efforts

• Contributes to a growing body of knowledge that can inform conservation and other policies regarding the positive influence of community-based environmental management and governance

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• Provides communities with ecotourism and other entrepreneurial ventures a chance to link their websites with their case studies on the ICCA Registry website

• Respects Intellectual Property Rights, which are retained with the community. An ICCA can be removed from the database or case studies at any time on request.

Despite the benefits, the ICCA registry is still limited. Some of the risks may be the following:

• Exposing the location of some vulnerable communities on the

internet may open them to unwanted or increased attention. • Some communities who are working with economically valuable

resources may not wish to incorporate these into a geo-referenced map.

• The Registry cannot assist communities with local or immediate threats to their area, such as boundary disputes with other communities or national entities and extraction by multinational companies.

• Information that is hosted publicly on the internet can be visited and used by anyone.

Philippine Initiatives in Recognition and Strengthening of ICCAs as a Key Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation (from the inputs of DENR Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi on Expansion of Biodiversity Conservation through ICCAs) Initiatives towards ICCA recognition in the Philippines have already started. The DENR-PAWB has initiated, at the policy and program level, the documentation of systems and procedures based on pilot areas, development of joint DENR-NCIP policy to set up a recognition process for the ICCAs, formulation of a national program for ICCAs, review of existing policies to support to ICCAs and their management within ancestral domains, the institutionalization of ICCA in the Philippines, and establishing linkages with international organizations and other partners to support the Philippine initiatives. Following section 8(j) of the CBD calling for the inclusion of other governance types in the protected area system, the Philippines has developed a program to diversify its terrestrial PA system through recognition of ICCAs, and establishment of conservation areas under DENR-LGU co management schemes. Focusing on key biodiversity areas (KBAs), the DENR acknowledges the potential for expansion of the protected area systm, if ICCAs are recognized and supported. A spatial

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analysis made by PAFID showed that a large part of the country’s KBAs overlap with areas occupied by IPs in the Philippines. The conference also highlighted the NewCAPP being implemented by the PAWB-DENR, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the United UNDP with the collaborative efforts of the Philippine ICCA Consortium. The NewCAPP facilitates the recognition of ICCAs at the national and international levels through their documentation, mapping, declaration and eventual registration in the global registry of ICCAs. There are seven ICCA pilots in the NewCAPP project. These are: 1) Menuvu tribe in Mt. Kalatungan National Park; 2) Ayta Abellen tribe in Cabangan, Zambales KBA; 3) Tau Buhid and Buhid IPs in Mindoro KBA; 4) Banao and Balatok tribes in Kalinga watershed (BBNP in CAR); 5) Dumagat Remontados in Mts. Irid Angelo in Region 4-A; 6) Dumagats in Polillo islands KBA; and 7) Mamanwa IPs in Surigao (Mt Hilong-Hilong KBA). Eventually, it is envisaged that a national program will help expand the ICCAs identified and covered in the country as this step will improve the conservation of Philippine biodiversity. Other strategies and actions taken at the local level include: organizing cross visits by other IP groups to demonstrate benefits and processes of the ICCAs; communicating the ICCA concept to stakeholders; conduct orientation and training to project partners on ICCAs, its relevant concepts, procedures and guidelines; and mainstreaming of ICCAs in relevant local plans and conservation management plans. Given the international ICCA framework and the local initiatives and context, ICCAs need all the support and assistance from different organizations – from the government, civil society, international organizations, and IP communities themselves- to be able to function well and be an instrument towards biodiversity conservation.

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Session One: Roles of Support Organizations on Indigenous Peoples,

ICCAs and Conservation The specific roles to support the indigenous peoples, ICCAs and biodiversity conservation in general were expressed and committed by key IP-oriented government agencies, Philippine and international NGOs including the ICCA Consortium. The NCIP is the lead agency implementing the IPRA and as such, should promote empowerment of the IPs. The PAWB-DENR adopts and protects the ICCA regime in addition to other mechanisms for biodiversity conservation. The CHR makes sure that the human rights of IPs are upheld in their ICCAs and ancestral domains. The Tebtebba Foundation develops national capacity building of IPs and biodiversity areas, while the FPE assists IP areas to fund projects and programs in the ICCAs and other protected biodiversity areas. National Commission for Indigenous People: Empowering the IPs at All Fronts

Empowering the indigenous peoples to make them aware of their rights and maintaining their cultural integrity are key messages in this speech. For the NCIP to do these, it is important that some organizational changes must be done. This is why the NCIP is putting efforts to review its internal policies in order to “rebrand” itself to a more active and relevant Commission. The NCIP reiterates the need for the full implementation of the FPIC in all activities involving ICCAs to keep IPs empowered and well-informed on what is happening or what is to happen in their ancestral domains.

“The NCIP is more than one hundred percent behind the indigenous peoples. Walang iwanan (No one will be left out).” This was a sharp slant in the speech delivered in the National Conference by Ms. Zenaida Brigida Pawid, chairperson of the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP). The Commission has been instituting reforms in its internal policies and programs

MS. ZENAIDA BRIGIDA HAMADA PAWID is the chairperson of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. She has been a member of the Northern Luzon Coalition for Good Governance since its inception in 1992. She shares in the advocacy of the organization of strengthening good governance and of bringing forth a new frontier in upland-lowland and IP – non IP relations. Her long experience on social accountability initiatives since 1985 has helped build her fields of expertise on issues of CPF concerns: coalition-building, ancestral domains, autonomy, cultural integrity, and healing and reconciliation in IP communities.

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that would allow for more participation and empowerment of indigenous peoples, and maintain their cultural integrity.

These transformations are under the umbrella of “rebranding” the Commission. It has long been focused to the issuance of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADTs), a legal instrument that formally recognizes “the rights of possession and ownership of indigenous cultural communities (ICCs)/IPs over their ancestral domains” in accordance with Sec.3c of IPRA. CADTs give the IPs the right to manage their ancestral domains (which are also biodiversity areas) and share the benefits arising from them. Chairperson Pawid asserts that the function of the NCIP goes “beyond the issuance of CADTs,” transcending to engage and provide mechanisms for the participation of IPs, empower them and their communities, and make them aware of their rights.

It is in this context that the NCIP has been working on the possibility that the ancestral domain becomes a viable planning unit in the aim to achieve appropriate and sustainable development. In the past, IPs were mere absorbers of impositions and beneficiaries of whatever the government wants to do. Chairperson Pawid likened this situation to a holiday season gift-giving in which IPs are bound to accept any “gift” from the government and international organizations, without the opportunity of being asked which “gift” is suitable to them.

This move to make IPs as partners and formal stakeholders shall allow their participation and opportunity to voice out their concerns, identify their needs as early as the planning stage, and influence decision-making in areas that have impacts to their ancestral domains. This arrangement shall also allow consultation with the IPs on which activities and policies are appropriate in their ancestral domains. The NCIP is pushing for the strict observance of the FPIC, which demands that consultation with the IPs must be done before the adoption and implementation of any activity or policy even in the ICCA areas. IPRA grants the NCIP quasi-judicial functions, but these have not been exercised by the Commission before. To be able to address the non-exercise of such important functions, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released an additional budget of PhP8 million on top of NCIP’s budget for the setting up of four courts – two in Mindanao (Butuan and Davao), one on Northern Luzon (Baguio), and one in Manila. With the existence of these quasi-judicial infrastructure, the NCIP “will insist that before any decision is made, there shall be a serious attempt—with the recognition of IPOs [indigenous peoples organizations], POs and NGOs—that a case is remanded back to the people who are in contention and that they be allowed for a last try at mediation and conciliation.” In the absence

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of mediation or conciliation, the NCIP courts shall decide on any case with full knowledge and consideration of the customary laws of the IPs. The NCIP pursues the rights and ensuring cultural integrity of the IPs. The Commission intends to conduct consultations with the IPs to identify their real leaders (their tribal elders, not the tribal “dealers”) and the organizations that truly represent them, with the purpose of eliminating “fake” IP organizations that have mushroomed in the advent of mining and development projects. The IPs advanced one step forward when the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) required the representation of IPs in the decision-making bodies of local government units (LGUs). To date, there are over 500 IPs who became part of the LGUs’ decision-making platforms. This policy, however, is not without challenges. Although some LGUs have willingly opened their offices and even financed the participation of IP representatives, 50 percent of the 500+ IPs are still struggling to be recognized due to lack of funds. Another challenge is the capability and knowledge of the IP representatives in parliamentary process. Chairperson Pawid warned that an IP representative may unknowingly compromise his/her whole tribe because of his/her lack of knowledge in the LGUs’ decision-making processes, therefore necessitating them to focus efforts on the capability-building of the IP representatives. NCIP and its academic partners (Ateneo Schools in Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Zamboanga del Sur and the Development Academy of the Philippines) have joined forces for a one-year training of those who were allowed to represent IPs in LGUs in Mindanao. The Commission adheres to its stand relative to IPRA’s relationship with other policies of the government. It maintains that other government policies must be interfaced with the IPRA and not otherwise. Such stand is anchored on the idea that the customary laws of IPs have long been in existence even before any government policy has been adopted. In terms of the NCIP support for the ICCAs, three major points were identified: First, the whole Commission supports the ICCAs, as the NCIP has been fighting for such kind of recognition of IPs ever since. The ICCA is perceived as a strategy that considers the NCIP and the IPs as full partners of the DENR, the government’s implementing arm in biodiversity conservation through the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB). Second, the NCIP reiterates the need for the full implementation of the FPIC in all activities involving ICCAs to keep IPs empowered and well-informed on what is happening or what is to happen in their ancestral domains.

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Third, Chairperson Pawid asserted that “if it [DENR] accepts ICCAs as ancestral domains, it should also be able to accept all other areas outside ICCAs that are biodiversity areas as ancestral domains.”

Commission on Human Rights: Upholding IPs’ Rights within Their ICCAs

Serious risks are being faced by indigenous peoples in the course of protecting the environment. As these risks involve threats to IPs’ human rights, CHR is ready to defend the rights of the IPs when they become vulnerable or endangered to factors that cut their way to protecting their ancestral domains and the ICCAs and all the resources and the biodiversity that they contain. Citing a historical example showing how the Commission once strongly defended the IPs and their rights, the CHR Chairperson gave a reassurance that IPs’ human rights shall be protected and defended by continuously realizing its mandates and implementing strategies of protection and capacity-building.

CHR Chairperson Loreta Ann Rosales praised the attention being accorded to the IPs through the ICCAs which acknowledge their contributions in nature conservation. Equally interesting to her is the fact that the discussion of ICCAs involves the discussion of very important rights that include civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. This is where the CHR comes in as a government agency that promotes the different rights of people, including the IPs. Integrating the concept of human rights into the ICCAs, Rosales emphasized the right to a healthy environment as enshrined in the Philippine Constitution. Section 16, Article II of the Constitution provides that “The State shall protect and advance the right of people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.” While the Constitution provided the skeletal principle to this right, the Supreme Court added muscle to the policy when it recognized and upheld such right through the case of Oposa vs. Factoran, a

landmark case that is very much appreciated both in the country and internationally. Through this case, the Supreme Court recognized intergenerational rights and gave equal importance to the rights of children

MS. LORETTA ANN ROSALES is the chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the South East Asian National Human Rights Institutions Forum (SEANF). Prior to her appointment at the Commission, she was a three-term party list representative of Akbayan Party to the House of Representatives. She obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of the Philippines.

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of today and of children of the future, a principle that is generally accepted in the advancement of sustainable development. The right to a healthy environment comes with its twin – the responsibility of protecting it. However in our society, those who protect the environment and natural resources are at risk of being victimized by other actors. She reminded the participants of the case of Leonard Co, a famous Filipino botanist, and two other companions who were shot and killed in November 2010 while doing field research in the abundant forests of Kananga, Leyte. The shooting incident involved soldiers of the Philippine Army. Per Rosales’ words, the environmentalist who defends the environment and seeks to protect endangered species can actually become the “endangered species” himself.

The IPs are in a situation like that of Leonard Co. According to Rosales, they are protectors of the environment and endangered species, but become “endangered species” in the process. While being at the battlefront in protecting the environment and conserving biodiversity, being the best guardians of the forests and their ancestral domains, and the most qualified managers of the ICCAs, they and their rights are being threatened by bigger and more powerful entities. As biodiversity areas are threatened by large-scale and indiscriminate logging and

The Barangay Didipio Case In 1994, then President Fidel V. Ramos entered into a Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) with Arimco Mining Corporation for the exploration, development and utilization of minerals located in about 37,000 hectares of land in Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, including Barangay Didipio. Later, Arimco became Climax-Arimco Mining Corporation (CAMC) and in 1996 transferred all its rights to Australasian Philippine Mining, Inc. (APMI). In 2007, APMI changed its name to Oceana Gold Philippines, Inc. (OGPI). In June 2008, complaints were filed with the CHR alleging that OGPI had illegally and violently demolished some 187 houses in Didipio, without the benefit of a court order or the provision for adequate relocation. Their houses were bulldozed and set on fire and those who protested were dispersed violently, including one resident who was shot. It was also alleged that OGPI fenced off large sections of the roads and pathways which community residents have relied upon for the past 10 years to transport their farm produce to the market. It was further alleged that OGPI set up checkpoints around the barangay. Moreover, it was alleged that the PNP-Regional Mobile Group served as a “private security force” of OGPI. On 02 October 2009, during an attempt to demolish several houses, more than 100 members of the PNP allegedly used truncheons, shields and tear gas to violently disperse protesting residents, including the Mayor of Kasibu and the Barangay Chairperson of Didipio. A month later, a team from the Commission, led by former Chairperson Leila de Lima, conducted an ocular inspection of Didipio and, the next day, convened a Public Dialogue, allowing all parties concerned to give their respective versions and to submit pertinent documents and records to substantiate their claims Source: Rosales, 2012

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mining operations, the IPs who defend the biodiversity areas also become the subjects of threats.

This claim was illustrated through the case of Barangay Didipio in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. Majority of the residents of the barangay are indigenous peoples. After its investigation of the foregoing incidents, the CHR issued a decision through a resolution dated December 20, 2010. The resolution wrote that OGPI violated the rights of the IPs and other residents of Didipio: the right to residence, adequate housing and property; the right to freedom of movement; the right not to be subjected to arbitrary interference with the home of the people; the right to security of persons; and the indigenous peoples’ right to manifest their cultural identity. In addition, the activities of the OGPI relative to the exploitation of water resources may possibly endanger the whole of the community’s fundamental right to access to clean water. The CHR advised the mining company to exercise great caution in the exploitation of water resources.

The CHR resolution also mentioned that the IPs are also at risk at the hands of government institutions whose supposed mandate is to protect them. The participation of the officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) violated the rights of the people by simply violating its own operational procedures during the October 2, 2009 incident when they (PNP officers) carried high-powered firearms and made use of unnecessary and unreasonable force.

As a recommendation to address this series of gross violation of human rights, the CHR called on the government to review the issues and look at the possibility of terminating the FTAA granted to the OGPI. It also called on other government agencies like the NCIP, DENR- Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), PNP and AFP to take part in monitoring the human rights situation in Didipio, and in verifying and addressing reports of human rights violations. The CHR also enjoined the private mining company to conduct a policy reorientation on the conduct of its mining activities, with the strict observance of and respect for the human rights of the members of the concerned community.

The story shared by Chairperson Rosales is an indication that the CHR is ready to defend the rights of the IPs when they become vulnerable or endangered to factors that cut their way to protecting their ancestral domains and the ICCAs and all the resources and the biodiversity that they contain. Towards upholding IPs’ rights in the ICCAs, the CHR’s role can be undertaken through strategies of protection and capacity-building. As an independent constitutional commission, the CHR is mandated to investigate

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human rights violations and recommend to other government agencies on what should be done in addressing human rights issues. It is also responsible for the conduct of comprehensive monitoring of human rights situations. In the course of performing its functions (investigation and monitoring), the CHR allows participation of parties involved through the conduct of dialogues. In addition to such functions, the CHR is also tasked to monitor the Philippine government’s compliance with its obligations as a function of the country’s commitment to international human rights agreements and instruments. In terms of capacity-building, the Commission provides education and training to IP communities that are under the ICCA regime. Chairperson Rosales recognized the contribution of the human rights-based approach, which is tagged as a powerful tool that can be used for governance and development. The rights of IPs can be mainstreamed by clearly identifying the thin line between business and human rights, particularly in this era where IP and human rights issues are in the agenda of international policy discourses. This is one rationale for the CHR to play a vigorous role as a human rights advocate. As Chairperson Rosales stated, the CHR “can play an active role by way of advocacy with business interests and timely interventions to defend the rights of environmentalists and human rights defenders.” DENR: Expansion of Biodiversity Conservation Through ICCAs

Despite the tools and strategies adopted by the Philippines, biodiversity conservation in the country seems wanting. There are many other key biodiversity areas that are not yet considered protected areas under the NIPAS Act. Unfortunately, establishing a KBA as a protected area is difficult and bureaucratic following the national policy on biodiversity conservation.

Thus, the DENR is with high hopes in exploring the ICCA as a strategy for the expansion of biodiversity conservation in the country. DENR Undersecretary Manuel Gerochi, through Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) Assistant Director Nelson Devanadera, presented insights about the conservation of biodiversity in the country and the role of ICCAs in this endeavor. A bureau under the DENR, the PAWB is the lead agency in the implementation of programs and strategies that ensure the conservation of

MR. NELSON P. DEVANEDERA Assistant Director Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB)

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the country’s biological diversity. PAWB envisions a “perpetual existence of biological and physical diversities in a system of protected areas and other important biological components of the environment managed by a well-informed and empowered citizenry for the sustainable use and enjoyment of present and future generations.” The PAWB is guided by a general policy framework for biodiversity conservation in the country, as shown in Figure 8. The country’s strategy in biodiversity conservation is primarily anchored on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a multilateral environmental agreement aimed at conserving biodiversity, ensuring the sustainable use of its resources, and allowing equitable and fair sharing of benefits arising from it. The Philippines signed the CBD on 12 June 1992 and ratified the same on 08 October 1993.

Figure 8. Policy Framework for Biodiversity Conservation in the Philippines.

Source: Gerochi, 2012

MR. MANUEL GEROCHI is the DENR Undersecretary for Staff Bureaus and Project Management. He has a post-graduate diploma in Develop-ment Economics from the University of the Philippines and is a full-fledged Career Executive Service Officer (CESO) in the Philippine Civil Service. Usec. Gerochi has more than 30 years of planning, monitoring, and leadership experience in the field of land administration and manage-ment and in biodiversity conservation and protection. He also has expertise in the application of economic analysis and corporate planning strategies for short and long-term management decisions; planning, monitoring, control, and managing of projects.

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Article 6 of the CBD provides for the general measures for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Under this provision, state parties are required to “develop national strategies, plans or programmes for the sustainable use of biological diversity” (Art. 6a) and “integrate, as far as possible and as appropriate, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies” (Art. 6b). The Philippines complied with this obligation through the adoption of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) which was formulated in 1996. The NBSAP has been the Philippines’ primary instrument in implementing the CBD at the national level. The strategies adopted in the NBSAP include the following:

• Expanding and improving knowledge on the extent, characteristics, uses and values of biodiversity;

• Enhancing existing and planned biodiversity conservation efforts with emphasis on in situ conservation activities;

• Formulating an integrated policy and legislation framework for the conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits of biodiversity;

• Strengthening capacities and institutionalizing biodiversity conservation and management;

• Mobilizing an integrated IEC [information and education campaign] for biodiversity conservation; and

• Advocating stronger international cooperation on biodiversity conservation.

The CBD promotes in situ conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats including the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings. The management of IPs’ ancestral domains, which are also KBAs, is considered as in situ conservation and recognizes the role of IPs and their traditional knowledge and systems.

Another policy that is highly relevant to the implementation of CBD in the country is Republic Act No. 7586, otherwise known as the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992. Enacted in July 1992, the NIPAS Act is a means for the state to forward its policies on sustainable development and conservation of biodiversity. While the NIPAS Act’s main objective is to establish a system of protected areas in the country, it has not failed to recognize the rights of indigenous peoples in the process (Section 13).

Mr. Devanadera indicated that indigenous communities are fully recognized and respect to customary laws and rights are observed in coming up with policies aimed at regulating the use of biodiversity and its resources, as

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embodied in international agreements like the CBD and Philippine laws such as the NIPAS Act of 1992. In February 2004, the Program of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) was adopted by the state parties of the CBD. The PoWPA, touted as the “most comprehensive and specific commitment made by the international community,” provides for the participation of IPs in the conservation of biodiversity. This is explicitly stated in PoWPA’s Goal 2.2 which is to “to enhance and secure involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders.” To date, the system of protected areas in the Philippines recognizes only PAs that were established through the NIPAS (formal PAs). There are currently 239 PAs in the country and only 13 of these are legislated and 113 are proclaimed. However, there are huge ecological gaps in terms of PA coverage vis-à-vis the KBAs—only 59 percent of PAs overlap with KBAs. This means that many of the KBAs are not yet declared as protected areas (see Figure 9). The challenge, however, is to fast track the expansion of conservation areas and efforts which under the NIPAS Act takes a very lengthy and bureaucratic process. This is why the DENR and PAWB are looking at ICCAs as an opportunity for the expansion of conservation in KBAs, since ICCAs are located mainly in KBAs and in ancestral domains in many parts of the country. ICCAs and their indigenous peoples offer a unique and sustainable way of managing the country’s biodiversity resources. Diversification of governance in KBAs through the recognition of ICCAs is now considered a part of the country’s conservation agenda.

Figure 9. Protected Areas vis-à-vis Key Biodiversity Areas in the Philippines

Source: Gerochi, 2012, based on spatial analysis prepared by PAFID

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PAWB initiated developing procedures and strategies, together with partner NGOs, in the NewCAPP which the objective of facilitating the recognition of ICCA at the national and international levels through documentation, mapping, declaration, and registration of ICCA in the global registry of ICCA. It also reviews existing policies to strengthen support to ICCAs and their management within ancestral domains, the institutionalization of ICCAs in the Philippines and developing networks with international organizations and other partners to support the Philippine initiatives. Foundation for the Philippine Environment: Financing for Biodiversity Conservation and the ICCAs

The availability of funds is critical for any project to be successful. In the field of environmental protection, including biodiversity conservation, the Foundation for the Philippine Environment is at the forefront in providing financial resources through grants which non-government actors including IPs can avail. Although the FPE is strict in its policies in approving grants, it has adopted simple forms and proposal formats for IPs to easily avail of the grant.

PAWB Assistant Director Nelson Devanadera, CHR Chairperson Loretta Ann Rosales,

Dr. Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend, FPE Chairperson Danny Valenzuela and Ms. Colleen Corrigan present their respective organizations’ contributions

to the protection of the ICCAs in the country.

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Atty. Danny Valenzuela, chairperson of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE), provided a quick overview of the policies and activities of their organization, with particular focus on its directions and initiatives on ICCAs. Established in 1992, the FPE is the first environmental grant-making institution in the Philippines. It is a product of a debt-for-nature swap with an initial fund amounting to US$ 21.8 million, or roughly equivalent to PhP559 million during that time, provided by the USAID and the Bank of Tokyo. The foundation is mandated to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable development efforts and activities of organizations outside the government – people’s organizations, nongovernment organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, religious groups, etc. One mechanism for funding biodiversity

conservation in the Philippines is provided in the Memorandum of Understanding among the Philippine and United States Governments and the FPE which was signed in April 1993 (www.fpe.ph). According to Valenzuela, most of the KBAs are within the ancestral domains of IPs and this is an evidence of how critical is the role of IPs in the conservation of biodiversity in the country. Thus, FPE has accorded genuine support to the ICCAs in its approved policies concerning indigenous peoples. In 2004, the FPE embarked on a policy on sustainable integrated area development (SIAD), the framework of which involves the promotion of SIAD awareness as well as review of sustainable agriculture policy framework.

FPE adopted the area-based strategy in 2006 which identified priority environmental initiatives to be undertaken and supported including protected areas, habitat regeneration and conservation, sustainable agriculture, indigenous knowledge systems for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, CADC, CADT, and reforestation of indigenous species. Among FPE’s programs is on environmental defense, which provides funds primarily for the protection of environmental defenders to address harassment and human rights violations.

ATTY. DANNY N. VALENZUELA is the chairperson and chief executive officer of the FPE, the first trustee from the Visayas to be elected to the position since the inception of the Foundation in 1992. He is also the executive director of the Center for Alternative Law of the University of San Agustin in the Visayas, which provides legal assistance to marginalized communities and advocates for environmental protection. He is a Human Rights Fellow of the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program and holds a Certificate in Social, Economic and Cultural Rights from the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

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A National Environmental Agenda (NEA) is also part of the work of FPE. The NEA is a compilation of environmental issues from all over the country and is reviewed and updated on a biennial basis through consultations conducted with FPE’s regional groups. Part of the NEA is the indigenous knowledge, skills and practices (IKSP).

While the FPE may be strict in its policies in approving grants, it has adopted a special policy by adopting simple forms and format for proposals that IPs and other basic sectors can easily follow. As part of its commitments to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, FPE recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DENR-PAWB which became the basis for supporting the NewCAPP. The MOA has provided a mechanism for the FPE to co-finance US$25,000 through projects and programs in support of the objectives and programs under the NewCAPP.

The FPE is working with IPs in their ancestral domains in different parts of the archipelago. In Luzon, FPE has closed seven projects sites, has one on-going project, and will open four more sites in the next five years. In the Visayas, it has two on-going projects, five closed, and will open four other sites. In the Mindanao area, the FPE has four on-going projects, four closed, and four will be opened. Some of these project sites are also IP territories.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 provide detailed information about these project sites.

Figure 10. FPE Project Sites in Luzon

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Figure 11. FPE Project Sites in Visayas

Figure 12. FPE Project Sites in Mindanao

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The FPE has also been able to tap resources from international organizations and has been part of undertakings that were implemented in partnership with other organizations, notable of which is the Mainstreaming Indigenous Peoples Participation in Environmental Governance Project, a project undertaken with the EU, FUNDESCO, and PAFID. Such project was implemented in some IP areas in Abra, Romblon, Compostela Valley, and Bukidnon, and is currently in the consultation and documentation stage. Another special project is the USAID-funded Upscaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas with Philippine Eagle Foundation, which is implemented in various areas in the country.

Atty. Valenzuela invited the indigenous peoples and other sectors present to submit their proposals to FPE for possible funding.

Tebtebba Foundation: Advancing Further Recognition of the IPs

Tebtebba Foundation has been pushing for the recognition of IPs rights and traditional and indigenous systems of environmental protection. The Foundation’s Executive Director takes the positive view that the ICCA can be a platform for IPs to exercise their rights within their ancestral domains. Towards this end, the Foundation offers its expertise in order to further develop the capacity of IPs in protecting their environment while enforcing

their rights. Tebtebba Foundation works for the respect, protection and fulfilment of indigenous peoples’ rights and operationalization of indigenous peoples’ self-determined sustainable development (www.tebtebba.org). Sharing her insights on the role of Tebtebba in the ICCAs, Executive Director Victoria Tauli-Corpuz defined this as the further advancement of the already rich recognition of IPs in the country and beyond. With a special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations, Tebtebba (more formally known as the Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education), has signified that it is in favor of the concept of the ICCAs based on two grounds.

MS. VICTORIA TAULI-CORPUZ is the executive director of the Tebtebba Foundation - Indigenous Peoples’ International Center for Policy Research & Education, a Baguio City-based organization that has United Nations consultative status. She is an indigenous activist belonging to the Kankana-ey Igorot peoples of the Cordillera region in the Philippines. With 30 years of experience, Ms. Tauli-Corpuz is committed to, and continues to work for, the recognition, protection, and promotion of indigenous peoples’ rights and women’s rights at the national and global level. She was centrally involved in the drafting and negotiations of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples until this was adopted in 2007. She has been the chairperson of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issue.

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First, the ICCA framework is an affirmation of the reality that many of the remaining areas or ecosystems that are still intact in this modern day are really found in the territories and ancestral domains of the IPs. Ms. Tauli-Corpuz noted that many of the IP territories and the biodiversity within them are better protected than the protected areas identified by the government. She explained that the IP approach to nature conservation has been effective due to the fact that, from the very beginning, IPs’ lifestyles and means are geared towards sustainable development. The application of indigenous and traditional knowledge and systems and strict observance of customary laws are among the reasons for an effective management and conservation of nature.

Second, the ICCAs is one mechanism that further reinforces and strengthens the rights of the IPs to their ancestral domains, territories and the resources within them. Indigenous peoples and their partners and supporters have strived for the recognition of and respect for these rights to allow them to preserve their identity and culture. ICCAs should also reinforce the IPs’ right to self-determination towards their economic, cultural and social development.

The Philippine government is a signatory to various international agreements such as the CBD, Climate Change Convention, and the UNDRIP. The ICCA framework is one tool that complements strategies to be able to effectively implement the provisions of the above international agreements, as well as some of the country’s laws like the IPRA and NIPAS Act.

Tebtebba is one with the CBD and has been implementing programs in relation to the Convention. Part of its work is the National Capacity Building Program for the Implementation of the CBD in the Philippines, one feature of which is the Traditional Knowledge Network. Indigenous peoples from around the Philippines are members of this network and among its activities is the conduct of exchange visits where IPs go to other indigenous communities to see and learn how other IPs protect their biodiversity and ecosystems. The other facet of Tebtebba’s work on CBD involves lobbying at the global level. It has been lobbying for the recognition of the rights of the IPs as well as for the equitable sharing of benefits for the IPs in areas where biodiversity is utilized in a sustainable manner.

While it is involved in the implementation of programs for CBD, Tebtebba also touches a role on monitoring and evaluation through its work that proposed indicators for measurement of government compliance with the provisions of the CBD. Because its concern is primarily on IPs, it has proposed indicators that will be able to measure the effectiveness of the government in terms of the support accorded to the traditional knowledge and systems of the IPs.

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One of the most important programs of Tebtebba today, believed to be a significant contribution to the development and strengthening of ICCAs in the Philippines, is the Integrated and Holistic Approach to Indigenous Peoples’ Sustainable and Self-Determined Development. It has four components: First, a real development for the IPs must be anchored on the framework of the human rights-based approach. According to Ms. Tauli-Corpuz, the rights of IPs must be accorded full respect and that the people (public) should understand these rights. Second, nature conservation should be based on the ecosystems approach in which the totality of the environment (e.g. forest should not be separate from the river or other parts of nature) is considered in the process. The third strategy that the Tebtebba is pushing is the intercultural approach which allows IPs to understand their different cultures, particularly in areas where different IP groups share converging territories. Fourth, the knowledge-based approach which provides that nature conservation should be based on the traditional knowledge of the IPs.

Tebtebba will be able to contribute to the IPs through these approaches laid out in the conference. It intends to contribute to this emerging enterprise through the conduct of training workshops for IPs on how to undertake such approaches. Ms. Tauli-Corpuz added that this contribution is not just for the ICCAs, but also to provide assistance in the implementation of other national policies and international agreements the Philippines has entered into. Through capacity-building, IPs will be able to better understand processes and mechanisms to empower them to put pressure to the government to effectively implement its policies and comply with its international commitments.

Noting the importance of documenting indigenous practices and experiences, Ms. Tauli-Corpuz offered assistance to the IPs and their partners in terms of documentation. Upon request of the IPs, Tebtebba will send representatives to IP territories to assist in writing cases and conduct documentation of IP experiences, processes, and traditional knowledge, among many others.

The Foundation hopes to continue conducting exchange visits, also known as cause learning visits, to allow IPs to be immersed in the culture of other IPs in other regions of the country. Recently, for example, some IPs from Mindanao visited the IPs of Sagada in Mountain Province. IPs may also be able to meet IPs of other countries through international exchange visits. The Tebtebba strongly believes that learning will be effective when IPs are actually exposed to and able to converse with other IPs abroad.

Although there are different avenues of benefits and assistance to IPs, it is inevitable that challenges may arise in the course of these activities. One challenge identified by the Tebtebba is the possibility of tenurial conflict (e.g.,

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protected area vs. ancestral domain), but this can be addressed if implementing agencies (DENR-PAWB, NCIP), partners and IPs have proper coordination between and among themselves. Given this challenge, it is recognized that the empowerment of the IPs is very important to allow them to voice out their concerns. Thus, the observance of the FPIC (which is also strongly advocated by the NCIP) should be strict, consistent and firm. Another challenge is on the commitment of the Philippines to the CBD to increase the number of its protected areas. While it may be good to increase the number of protected areas in the country, it may also be dangerous on the part of the IPs. Ms. Tauli-Corpuz explained that if IP territories are eyed for inclusion as PAs, it may be good if the IPs are involved in the decision-making stage and full respect is given to them, but dangerous to IPs if the policy is imposed on them. At the end of her presentation, Ms. Tauli-Corpuz mentioned that many of the provisions of the CBD have not been implemented due to lack of resources and that the government has not been seriously taking its obligations. It is for this reason that she called for communities to work more closely with government and put pressure on it to ensure adherence and compliance on its commitments to the CBD and other international instruments. This, in turn, will ensure that benefits from biodiversity will be enjoyed by the IPs. The ICCA Consortium

ICCA Consortium promotes the appropriate recognition of ICCAs, and appropriate support to them.

The commitments from the government and non-government sectors in the National Conference towards the development of ICCAs in the Philippines can be laid down in a spectrum of activities that involve policy reforms and reorientation, upholding of human rights, empowerment of IPs, financing for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, as well as knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. With this militia of supporters for the ICCAs, including the IPs themselves, it is deemed that the Philippines is ready for the full implementation of the institutionalization of the ICCA framework. This is not difficult since ICCAs are existing already long ago in the country.

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Brief history Responding to mounting interest and concerns about ICCAs, several mutually-respected NGOs and organisations representing indigenous and community constituencies (now Consortium Members), established the ‘ICCA Consortium’ at a gathering during the 4th World Conservation Congress in Barcelona (Spain) in October 2008. These Members agreed on a broad programme of action which provided seeding support and stimulus for cooperation on ICCAs among a large variety of actors. Since Barcelona, physical meetings among Consortium Members and Honorary members have taken place during international gatherings and policy events, including meetings of the CBD Parties and UN gatherings (e.g., UNPFII and EMRIP). Finally, in July 2010, a formal founding General Assembly was organised on the occasion of the third meeting of EMRIP, at the UN premises in Geneva (Switzerland). This meant the Consortium was finally able to take-off as a legal association according to Swiss Law. The second General Assembly took place in October 2010 in Nagoya (Japan) during the CBD COP 10 and was then followed by a third, Extraordinary General Assembly in Whakatane (New Zealand) in January 2011, during the IUCN CEESP Sharing Power Conference. The fourth General Assembly took place in Bogor, Indonesia on 12 October 2011. The Statutes of the Consortium and the minutes of all its General Assemblies are available below, within the “Life of the Consortium” section. In October 2010 an ICCA-dedicated workshop took place in Shirakawa-Go, Japan, providing an occasion for the Consortium to develop its Vision 2010 and work programme 2011-2014. Until August 2011, partial funding and volunteer engagements had supported the Consortium’s programme of action in various regions and for some global activities, but financial support to the overall programme remained insignificant. In July 2011, however, the Consortium was awarded two grants from The Christensen Fund and UNDP-EEG, enabling it to pursue its vision and work programme. A Communications officer, several Regional Coordinators and a Global Coordinator were thus recruited and a planning retreat was organised in Indonesia, in conjunction with the fourth General Assembly of the Consortium and a first Symposium on ‘ICCAs in Indonesia’. Its mission is to promote the appropriate recognition of ICCAs, and appropriate support to them. The Consortium can assist IPs and LCs to find partners and develop initiatives to:

restore and reaffirm governance rights and management capacity over ICCAs damaged by a variety of policies and circumstances

get recognition for their ICCAs at national and international level (exchanges, communication, alerts, national federations, project proposals, training, dedicated events, advocacy for policy & legislation, etc.)

strengthen their ICCAs against impending threats

Source:http://www.iccaconsortium.org

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Session Two: Presentation of Results of the Subnational Workshops

on ICCAs The results of the Subnational Workshops were presented, which include discussions on the typologies of ICCAs in the country, traditional management forms in ICCAs, and concerns on ICCAs. ICCA across the Country (From the Inputs of Mr. Samuel Balinhawang, Kalahan Education Foundation)

Mr. Balinhawang enumerates the various typologies of ICCA in the Philippines as well as the value each holds for the IPs and Indigenous Communities. Found in the 197 traditionally conserved areas in the country, these typologies are treasured not only for their territorial purposes but likewise for their priceless embodiment of the IP’s identity, ancestral and spiritual lineage and survival. Given the importance of ICCA, effective management system practices are promoted to ensure ICCA sustainability.

Mr. Samuel Balinhawang of Tribong Ikalahan, Imugan, Santa Fe, Nueva Ecija and Executive

Director of Kalahan Education Foundation (KEF) talks about the types, values and objectives of ICCA in the Philippines

The IPs continue to play an important role in biodiversity conservation. While there are various reasons for protecting and conserving their ancestral domains, the IPs have shown that traditional management proves an effective system in achieving sustainable biodiversity conservation (CENESTA, 2009). In the presentation of Kalahan Education Foundation Executive Officer Samuel Balinhawang, there are 197 traditionally conserved areas identified

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during the three Subnational Workshops. These traditionally conserved areas can be classified into 14 typologies. Typologies, Characteristics and Value In the Philippines, ICCAs are classified as follows:

a. Upland Forest. The upland forests serve as source of medicinal plants, food, water and sanctuary for the IPs. In the Ibaloi Tribe in Baguio City, Addaan provides water and sanctuary for giant ferns while Patagonan in Mt. Kimangkil, Mintapod, Kalabugao, Bukidnon, serves as a wildlife sanctuary.

“Patagonan” in Mt. Kimangkil, Mintapod, Kalabugao, Bukidnon

b. Traditionally Occupied Territories. IPs consider these areas as

ancestral territories inherited from their forefathers. Believed to be the source of life, traditionally occupied territories embody the historical legacy of the IPs. The overall ancestral domain is classified under this typology such as the Lupaing Ninuno of the Ayta in Kalangitan, Capas, Tarlac. The Banwa he Pig-datuan of the Talaandig tribe in Mt. Kitanglad, Lantapan, Bukidnon is considered as the connection of the tribe to Magbabaya, the answer to all the needs of the tribe. Given the intrinsic value of these areas, traditionally occupied territories are sacred among the IPs.

c. Mountain and Mountain Range. For the IPs, mountains and

mountain ranges are believed to be the final resting place of the soul after death. Examples include the Subanens’ Mt. Pinukis in Zamboanga Peninsula and Kalanguya and Ibaloi tribes’ Mt. Pulag in Benguet, Ifugao. Mountain and mountain ranges are also considered the dwelling place of spirits such as the Ilihan ni Baho of the Panay-Bukidnon in Barangay Siya, Tapaz, Capiz and a wildlife sanctuary for the Egongots/Bangkalots’ Mt. Pamazapazan and Mt. Igabon for the Jalawodon-Bukidnon and Halawodon of Calinog, Iloilo.

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d. Cave. Caves are used as burial area and wildlife sanctuary. The Tinongchol of Kalanguya and Ibaloi tribes of Mt. Pulag consider caves as burial areas of their ancestors while Mabaho of the Mamanwa tribe in Santiago, Agusan del Norte is used as eagle’s shelter.

e. Farm. Farms are sources of sustenance and livelihood for the IPs.

Examples include Buhid tribe’s Bangkulong in Oriental Mindoro and Pangumaha of Higaonon/ Claveria tribe in Misamis Oriental.

f. Hill. Hills are valuable refuge during war, a sacred place of worship

and a market place for IPs. For the Subanen tribe of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Sur, the Tambautaw is used as a safe haven during war while the Talaandigs’ Binagyuhan in Mt. Kalatungan functions both as a place of worship and market area.

Mt. Kalatungan of the Talaandig tribe

g. Gorge. It is a narrow passage, which serves as a basis for predicting

the weather. An example is the Balin-angin of the Aetas of Hengeng, Capas, Tarlac.

h. Lake. A source of livelihood and a sacred place, lakes remain an

important ICCA for the IPs. The Tagbanwa of Coron, Palawan considers their lake Awuyok a source of livelihood. The Mamanwa tribe of Agusan del Norte believes their lake Danao or Lake Mainit not only provides livelihood for them but also a passageway of their ancestors to and from the afterlife.

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“We can’t exchange the meager amount of rice that we harvest for sacks of money”

- from a Sub-National Participant of the Maeng Tribe of Tubo, Abra

i. River/ Creek. Similar to lakes, rivers and creeks are sanctified areas among IPs. It is considered a historical site that was handed-down to the IPs from one generation to another. Believed to be the area where the IPs’ ancestors have lived, rivers and creeks are common settings for indigenous legends and tales. They are also sources of water, sites to perform rituals and burial places such as the Ilog Binagaw of Buhid Mangyan tribe of Oriental Mindoro. It likewise serves as a demarcation of territory like the Sapa Dlimaya of the Subanen/ Dinas tribes of Zamboanga del Sur.

j. Waterfalls. Waterfalls are historically significant for the IPs. They are

both a source of livelihood and a ritual area such as the Tinuy-an among the Agusanon Manobos of Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. For the Mandaya tribe of Davao Oriental, the Tagdalob provides sanctuary for the eagles.

k. Spring. The spring serves as a source of water for the IPs. The

Bulbugan of the Buhid Mangyans of Oriental Mindoro is an example. To some extent, springs are a potable water source such in the case of the Tulawas of the Subanen tribe in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur.

“Banyan,” a fish sanctuary and nursery area of the Tagbanwa of Coron, Palawan

l. Sea. Some IPs such as the Tagbanwa tribe of Coron, Palawan

consider the sea as a primary source of life. The Teeb Surubliyen, for instance, is revered because it is believed to hold the tribe’s ancestral roots. While the Tagbanwas’ Banyan is considered a fish sanctuary. The Molbog tribe in Balabac, Palawan consider Sibuntol as potential areas to build houses by the sea.

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m. Mangrove Forest. It is a source of livelihood and food for some IPs such as the mangrove forest in Barangay, Maasin, Quezon, Palawan.

n. Other protected areas. There are more areas not mentioned in this

list that are considered rich in natural resources and their use have been continuously regulated by the IPs due to their ancestral, cultural and spiritual significance. An example is the Lapat of the Maeng tribe in Tubo, Abra which is considered the life of the tribe. It is believed to be the source of ubbog (water) which is the tribe’s connection to life. Another is the Mariit of the Akeanon-Bukidnon tribe in Barangay Dalas-Saan, Libacao, Aklan which is protected because it is believed to be the place of the “big people”.

These 14 typologies illustrate the various forms of ICCAs in the country. As provided above, these typologies include both terrestrial and aquatic resources. Each typology is conserved, revered and protected given its intrinsic value, historical significance and indispensable role in the life of a tribe. IPs and ICCAs The ICCA plays an invaluable part in the life and existence of an IP. While there has been a growing recognition of the role and contribution of the IPs in biodiversity conservation, questions are still raised on why ICCAs remain crucial for the IPs that these are continuously protected and conserved. The relationship of an indigenous community to an ICCA embodies their identity, lineage, physical and spiritual existence as an indigenous cultural community. As provided by Mr. Balinhawang, there are several reasons why ICCAs are protected and conserved by the IPs: Governance Territory, shelter, ritual/ worship areas, scared grounds, fortress, ancestral, heritage, responsibility to protect the area, historical significance, dwelling place of the spirits, healing place, wildlife sanctuary, ecological balance, learning laboratory, weather indicator, watersource, watershed, income-generation, livelihood, for daily use and to ensure continuity of the tribe’s existence. The ICCAs remain a crucial part of the IPs’ ancestral domains. While each tribe has its own special motivation for giving ICCA prime importance, all agree that ICCAs must be protected and conserved. For the IPs, ICCAs are more than rich resources for livelihood, they reflect the ancestral legacy and cultural identity that set IPs apart from the majority.

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Traditional Management of ICCAs in the Philippines

The ICCAs have been protected and conserved by the IPs for generations. Based on the results of the Subnational ICCA Workshops in November 2011 (For the complete discussion on the subnational workshops, see the CD included in the book), the IP participants attested that the ICCAs have been an integral part of their ancestral domains since time immemorial. These areas are believed to be inherited from their forefathers. Management System of ICCAs1 Across the country, the IP communities have been employing traditional methods and practices for protecting and conserving their respective ICCAs. These have been passed down for generations and have since been observed and practiced. Nevertheless, there are selected tribes who have been open in collaborating with either the national or local government units (LGUs) in line with their advocacy to protect and conserve their ICCAs. Based on the discussions captured during the Sub-National Workshops of Luzon and Island Groups, Eastern and Western Mindanao last November 2011, traditional management are employed in the following ways:

• Respect for Elders. The results of the workshops show that elders are well-regarded by IPs. In the case of Higaonon/ Kulaman tribe in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, the elders impose rules regarding the management of their mountain range called Pina. This is also true for the Monkayo tribe of Compostela Valley regarding the conservation of the Domano River. For the Kalanguya tribe of Imugan, Nueva Vizcaya, the Council of Elders serves as the ruling body in determining the approach in managing their forest which they call Bel-ew. Similarly, a traditional organizational structure called the Bugkalot Confederation provides counsel for the Egongot/ Bangkalot tribe in protecting and conserving Mt. Pamazapazan.

• Rituals. Some tribes believe that performing rituals and giving

sacrifices are necessary to ensure conservation of their ICCAs. These rituals are done to honor the spirits especially before hunting

                                                       1 Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), “Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) Subnational Conference for Luzon and Island Groups,” Full Documentation, Legend Villas Hotel, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, 8-11 November 2011; “Sub-National Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) Eastern Mindanao Group,” Full Documentation, Mergrande Ocean Resort, Talomo District, Davao City, 14-17 November 2011 and; “Subnational Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA) Western Mindanao,” Full Documentation, Chali Beach Resort, Barangay Cuguman, Cagayan de Oro City, 24-25November 2011.

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and farming such as the practice of the Ayta tribe of Kalangitan, Capas, Tarlac in their Lupaing Ninuno. On the other hand, the Menuvu tribe of Mt. Keretungan and the Higaonon tribe in Pangantucan, Bukidnon perform rituals primarily to ask the permission of spirits.

• Restrictions and

Prohibitions. As a means to protect ICCAs, tribes impose restrictions on specific areas within the ICCA. These restrictions range from prohibiting entry to banning selected activities. The Tagbanwa tribe of Coron, Palawan prohibits entry to an area in the Banyan Sea to protect the fish nursery while the Buhid tribe of Oriental Mindoro prevents any access to the Fungsu abat mountain. On the other hand, the Dulangan Manobo tribe of Sultan Kudarat prohibits kaingin (slash and burn farming method) in Mt. Mekeilas. Similarly, the Subanen/ Sindangan tribe of Zamboanga del Sur forbids entry and kaingin at Palandok. To preserve the purity of what they refer to as Ducligan, the Banao tribe of Balbalan, Kalinga prohibits encroachment. Violators are penalized by sacrificing a carabao during the Sugsog ritual. Polluting the water is forbidden among the Higaonon tribe in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. The tribe also follows organic farming on Pangasuha forest and Pangamaha farmland. Likewise, illegal logging on Mt. Malindang is not allowed by the Subanen tribe in Misamis Occidental. While the Kalanguya tribe of Imugan, Nueva Vizcaya follows a three year moratorium on hunting in their Bel-ew forest.

• Guardians. Some tribes assign guardians among tribe members

themselves to protect their ICCAs. For example, the Ibaloi tribe in Cayapa, Nueva Vizcaya calls their guardians of the Bel-ew forest as Bantay Gubat while the Talaandig tribe in Mt. Kalatungan, Pangantucan, Bukidnon refers to them as Bantay Lasang.

According to Chapter II Section 3c and 3d of RA 8371, a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) “refers to a title formally recognizing the rights of possession and ownership of ICCs/IPs over their ancestral domains identified and delineated in accordance with this law” while a Certificate of Ancestral Lands Title “refers to a title formally recognizing the rights of ICCs/IPs over their ancestral lands” Source: RA 8371

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• Rehabilitation and preservation areas. The tribes recognize the

abundance of natural resources found in their ICCAs. As a means to sustain the biodiversity of their ICCAs, tribes rehabilitate areas damaged by either natural or man-made causes. The Libon of the Aytes of Villar, Botolan, Zambales and the Balin-angin of the Aeta-Hengengs of Capas, Tarlac were rehabilitated to restore the area damaged by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. On the other hand, the Sibuyan Mangyan Tagabukid of Sibuyan Island, Romblon replaces trees that are cut down in their Lupaing Ninuno., The Dumagat tribe of Karahome, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan allocated a plant nursery within the Tsakat creek to ensure the sustainability of plant life in their ICCAs.

• Partnerships with other tribes. Some ICCAs are geographically adjacent to each other. For purposes of practicality, tribes enter into a formal pact in protecting shared areas. The Jalawodon-Bukidnon and Halawodon tribes in Calinog, Iloilo share a mutual agreement to protect Mt. Baloy. Similarly, the Talaandig tribe engage in tribal alliances to ensure the protection of Mt. Kitanglad Range in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

• Information and Education Campaigns (IEC) and related projects. Some tribes conduct information dissemination to continuously educate tribal members on preservation and conservation of their ICCA. The Talaandig and Subanen tribes focus their IECs among the youth and elderly tribal members. Among the Kalanguya tribe of Imugan, Nueva Vizcaya, a KALAHAN group is in-charge of conducting regular activities to promote sustainable forest management on Bel-ew. On the other hand, some tribes engage in projects designed to ensure the sustainability of their ICCA. The Tagbanuang Tangdulanen tribe of Palawan, for instance, designed a land use plan for their forest which they call Budyok Talindunon.

• Treatment to Outsiders. The tribes recognize the attraction to

visitors posed by their ICCAs. However, given the risks of entertaining outsiders, tribes impose rules and corresponding guidelines to tourists. For example, the Agta tribe in Caraballo places a red cloth at the entrance of the Talon forest to warn trespassers not to enter. Those who ignore this warning are put to death.

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Alternatively, the Kalanguya and Ibaloi tribes welcome tourists provided that they respect the rules observed in Mt. Pulag such as abstinence from intercourse. Tribes believe that a violation from this policy will cause strong rains and thunderstorms. Similarly, the Mamanwa tribe in Jabonga, Agusan del Norte has established that development programs offered to them can only be accepted if the programs are adapted to suit their culture and prove beneficial in conserving Mt. Kaanahawan.

However, selected tribes opt to engage government agencies in support of protecting and conserving their ICCAs.To ensure the protection and conservation of the Lapat, LGU policies were harmonized with the traditional practices of the Maeng tribe in Tubo, Abra. Other tribes such as the Egongot and Bangkalot tribes continue to designate forest guards or Bantay Gubat in coordination with the national government. For two years, this arrangement has been observed in protecting and conserving Mt. Pamazapazan and the Pacugao Watershed. While the Ibaloi tribe of Baguio City and Subanen and Bayog tribes of Zamboanga del Sur rely on their application CADT/ Certificate of Ancestral Land Title (CALT) as a legally recognized mechanism to secure their respective ICCAs. The Kankana-ey tribe of Caraballo continuously protects Mt. Data, otherwise known as Mossy Forest, through a traditional practice of Binnandang or the bayanihan system. This is enforced through barangay ordinances enacted by the LGU. Moreover, the restoration of kaingin areas and the protection of the Pidisan Watershed are done in coordination with the DENR. The memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Kankana-ey tribe and DENR includes the protection and apprehension of violators. On the other hand, the Kalanguya tribe of Imugan, Nueva Vizcaya entered into a MOA with the DENR to ensure the implementation of traditional management in the Bel-ew. Enforced since 1974, the MOA recognizes the rights of the Kalanguya tribe to protect and conserve their forest by means of their own traditional and customary practices. Alternatively, the Subanen tribe of San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur regularly provides written recommendations to involve government agencies in a steadfast effort to declare their ICCA, Mt. Dasay/ Danao, a national park. The results of the Sub-National Workshops show various management systems employed among tribes. However, regardless of a tribe’s approach in management, the unifying feature in these systems remains the security of sustaining the ICCAs.

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Concerns on ICCAs (From the Inputs of Ms. Narcisa Dalupines, Jalawudon-Bukidnon tribe)

Ensuring the sustainability of ICCAs goes beyond traditional management. Ms.Dalupines explains the five major concerns of protecting ICCA- environmental, socio-cultural, economic, governance, peace and order. Resolving these threats require collaborative and multi-sectoral partnerships among the IPs, government, NGOs and CSOs.

Ms. Narcisa Dalupines of the Jalawudon-Bukidnon Tribe explains the concerns on ICCAs

Traditional management has been the adopted system of IPs for generations. The IPs believe that it is a knowledge derived from their forefathers which prove effective in sustaining the pristine quality of ICCAs. However, the protection and conservation of ICCAs have been encumbered by threats beyond the scope of traditional management. Ms. Narcisa Dalupines of the Jalawudon-Bukidnon tribe presented the concerns of tribes in relation to managing their ICCAs. The concerns are classified into five themes, namely: Environmental, Sociocultural, Economic, Governance, and Peace and Order.

a. Environmental. Three main concerns were identified. One concern is the deforestation and forest degradation caused by both natural and man-made hazards. In Caraballo, for instance, natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes cause deforestation and forest degradation. Other sources include forest fires, forest conversions and incursion of plant species due to DENR reforestation programs.

Another concern raised is the encroachment of destructive industrial

operations into ICCAs. These activities include mining, quarrying and logging. The problem is further aggravated due to unabated illegal mining and logging, lack of FPIC to employ mining explorations

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within ICCAs and the conflicting interest of the government in supporting mining and its detrimental effect against ICCAs.

The issue of employing destructive methods in fishing, agriculture

and hunting was also raised. Destructive methods in fishing include application of electric current and use of poison, stones and fish cages. These are evident in areas in Calinogan, Maporac, Coron and Mt. Hilong-hilong. Other disastrous methods mentioned are wildlife poaching, use of inorganic pesticides, herbicides and insecticides and the diversion of river course for purposes of farm irrigation. These methods, unfortunately, are also carried out by some IPs who prefer easier methods in fishing and farming.

b. Sociocultural. The IPs lament the waning value of traditional beliefs

and practices. This causes poor implementation of customary laws and susceptibility to outside influences such as religion, mainstream society and migrants. Knowledge gained from formal institutions is exploited. For instance, new forms of entertainment like the staging of beauty pageants, which are offensive to tribal elders, are substituted for traditional dances during fiestas.

The lack of written and undocumented ancestral knowledge is

identified as a cause of the declining value for traditional beliefs and practices. Given the limitless attractions of technology and other forms of entertainment, the absence of a written basis of traditional knowledge fosters a sentiment of neglect and overlooks the significance of what was once revered by their ancestors.

c. Economic. The prevailing economic challenges are also posing a

threat to ICCA conservation. The financial requirements for survival and the limited livelihood opportunities are pushing the IPs to resort to their selling of ancestral lands or to allow the exploitation of ICCAs for purposes of economic gain. The lack of programs to compensate the limited livelihood opportunities further magnifies the predicament.

d. Governance. There are two primary issues covered under

governance. The first concern is the weak traditional governance structure while the second is the misguided support of national and local government agencies. Related to sociocultural issues, there has been a decline in the value placed on traditional governments. Traditional institutions within indigenous communities are constantly challenged by external pressure. Members of the indigenous communities are often faced with the dilemma of which authority to follow—their traditional government or the local and national government. More often,

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indigenous community members are less-inclined to seek the advice of tribal elders and political intervention in resolving tribal conflicts. Some national agencies are thought to reinforce the challenge of preserving and conserving ICCAs. For instance, the NCIP is perceived as insincere and lacks political will. The perception is brought about by the following reasons: allowing mining companies to access ICCAs, insensitivity of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development Protection Plan (ADSDPP) to IP culture, slow action or inaction to encroachment of outsiders in ancestral domains, slow processing of CADT application, and ancestral domain boundary delineation and procrastination of facilitating FPIC. In Romblon and Mindoro, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is criticized for releasing Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) of land areas that are part of the ancestral domain to non-IPs. Meanwhile, the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) is accused of overlooking the IP community’s right to benefit from the Casecnan Dam. NIA also proposed to establish irrigation that will drain the lake in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. Similarly, the DENR, specifically the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), is perceived to lack genuine support for the IPs and their advocacy to protect and conserve their ICCAs. Neglect to implement FPIC and specific policies, conflicting projects on logging and mining as well as implementing projects which disregard the sanctity of ICCAs and IP concerns are the primary basis of such unfavorable opinion. The LGUs are viewed in a similar light with their inability to resolve conflicts between tribes; inaction on proposed projects favorable to ICCA conservation; and misrepresentation and political intervention for purposes of implementing projects. They are also being complained for not recognizing ancestral domains and inconsideration of traditional values and areas sacred to IPs. The development of infrastructures within ICCAs is a case in point.

e. Peace and Order. The concern for peace and order covers conflict within and outside tribes. For instance, the misunderstanding between the Botbot and Ibanag tribes in Kalinga fosters fear of its escalation into a tribal war that may result to casualties. Moreover, militarization and entry of armed groups within ICCAs pose threat to the security of IPs.

There are several issues raised by the IPs in relation to protecting and conserving ICCAs. Internal as well as outside forces are identified as causes

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of these concerns. Given the various issues the IPs are facing and their limited influence as minority groups, there is a profound need for genuine engagement of various sectors. The results of the Subnational Workshops on ICCAs show that IPs have established a management system suited to their way of life as well as conserving biodiversity. However, traditional management requires the support of different sectors--the national and local government, NGOs, and civil society organizations (CSOs)—to be able to address the threats against ICCAs. Lessons Learned The conservation of ICCAs and biodiversity calls for a collaborative and multisectoral enterprise. The foregoing discussions emphasized that IPs are in a better position to determine the best system in protecting and conserving their ICCAs. Given the history of ill-advised government programs such as some failed reforestation programs, the government should first consider the position of IPs before investing on programs intended to help IPs. Nevertheless, continuous dialogue remains a vital element to strengthen the partnership between IPs and various sectors. It provides a venue to learn and share insights and experiences as a way forward in promoting mutual trust and collaborative engagement towards biodiversity conservation.

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Moving Towards Strengthening of ICCA Guiding Principles and Action Plan:

Products of Multisectoral Collaboration

Two resultant documents from the three Subnational Workshops held in November 2011 and attended by ICCA stakeholders from Luzon and Island Groups, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao were presented at the National Conference – (1) the Guiding Principles of Collaborative Work and Partnership in ICCAs and (2) the Consolidated Action Plan. Datu Vic Saway introduced the first document which aims to garner everyone’s support in the roles and responsibilities of the IP communities, government, and support groups in strengthening and ensuring the sustainability of the ICCAs. Datu Ed Banda gave a walk-through of the second document – the Consolidated Action Plan - which emphasized five crucial areas in ensuring the recognition and promotion of ICCAs: (i) establishment of partnership structures/mechanisms; (ii) documentation, mapping, declaration and registration of ICCAs; (iii) policy development; (iv) capacity development; and (v) financing. Specific activities were laid out under each area.

The conscious effort to recognize and promote ICCAs in the Philippines was off to a good start, at least from a governance standpoint. The initiatives undertaken by the various stakeholders at this early stage point towards the eventual institutionalization of the strategy as a means of managing and caring for the country’s threatened ecosystems. The two documents resulting from the Subnational ICCA Workshops—the Guiding Principles of Collaborative Work and Partnership in ICCAs and the Consolidated Action Plan—are expected to serve as pillars that would support further efforts in strengthening the country’s ICCAs. It is indeed fitting that they were crafted in the spirit of consultation and multisectoral collaboration. Nonetheless, the IPs remain to be the prime movers behind the ICCAs institutionalization by serving as the principal authors of its guiding principles, which they articulated in their native tongues. Figure 13 illustrates the process undertaken in coming up with the Guiding Principles and the Action Plan for ICCAs based from the three subnational workshops held in November 2011 and participated by ICCAs stakeholders from Luzon and island groups, Eastern Mindanao, and Western Mindanao. During the said workshops, the IPs formulated possible action guides for each sector–the government, support groups, and the IPs themselves–to ensure the strengthening and sustainability of ICCAs. The three sets of guidelines resulting from the respective workshops were then consolidated as the Guiding Principles, which formed part of the Declaration on Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas that was signed by the ICCAs stakeholders during the National Conference on 29-30 March 2012.

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Figue 13. Drafting process of the Guiding Principles and Action Plan

Datu Ed Banda was tasked to present the Guiding Principlesfor Collaborative Work and Partnerships in ICCAs. In order to effectively and sustainably manage their respective ICCAs, the IPs and other local communities committed to abide by the following guiding principles: The IP communities shall:

(a) prepare plans for building their capacity for the effective management of their ICCAs;

(b) work for the restoration of the full freedom of the tribe/IPs and preserve it until the next generations;

(c) enforce traditional or customary laws;

(d) continue the traditional activities in the ICCAs (similar to what was practiced in the past);

(e) continue building the capabilities of the communities in the conservation of natural resources in the ICCAs;

Eastern Mindanao

Western Mindanao

    

Results Consolidated

  

Guiding Principles for Collaborative

Work and Partnership in

ICCAs and

Consolidated Action Plan

DATU EDUARDO BANDA is a Manobo leader and elder from Magpet, North Cotabato. He heads the Magpet Tribal Council, one of the 25 indigenous people’s organizations he organized around Mt. Apo. Aside from this, he has been an outstanding municipal councilor for 12 years in Magpet. Datu Banda also sits as member of the IP Sector National Council under the National Anti-Poverty Commission. He is the current national chairman of KASAPI.

Luzon and Island Groups

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(f) live according to the customs that are based on culture not only in words, but in deed;

(g) rekindle the relationship with nature, including the unseen; (h) identify and acknowledge the contribution or donation of everyone; (i) view ICCAs as strategies for protection, management, development

and peace-building; (j) the recognition of ICCAs should be comprehensive to respect the

integrity and dignity of the whole territory; and (k) the customary law should be made the highest basis in the policy-

making and management of ICCAs.

Figure 14. Dates and venues of sub-national ICCA Workshops.

The IP representatives and workshop participants also identified their guiding principles in working with the Government of the Philippines with regard to ICCAs:

(a) respect and recognize the traditional rights of IPs; (b) recognize and respect the ICCAs based on native title or other

traditional and cultural indicators; (c) the IPs’ capability to manage their ICCAs should be supported; do

not invent new systems or processes from somewhere else that will undermine them;

(d) strengthen the involvement and inclusion of IPs and their support groups;

(e) view ICCAs as strategies for protection, management, development and peace-building;

(f) the recognition of ICCAs should be comprehensive to respect the integrity and dignity of the whole territory; and

(g) the customary law should be made the highest standard in the policy-making and management of ICCAs.

In similar note, the IP representatives and workshop participants enumerated their guiding principles in working with the support groups on ICCAs, to wit:

(a) provide guidance to simplify things;

Luzon and Island Groups

8-11 November 2011 Legend Villas Hotel

Mandaluyong, Metro Manila

Western Mindanao

24-27 November 2011 Chali Beach Resort

Cagayan de Oro City

Eastern Mindanao

14-17 November 2011 Mergrande Ocean Resort

Talomo District, Davao City

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(b) recognize and respect the ICCA based on native title or other traditional and cultural indicators;

(c) respect the spiritual relationships of the IPs; (d) the IPs’ capability to manage their ICCAs should be supported; do

not invent new systems or processes from somewhere else that will undermine them;

(e) strengthen the involvement and inclusion of IPs and their support groups;

(f) view ICCAs as strategies for protection, management, development and peace-building;

(g) the recognition of ICCAs should be comprehensive to respect the integrity and dignity of the whole territory; and

(h) the customary law should be made the highest standard in the policy-making and management of ICCAs.

These guiding principles were set to consider the collaboration of IPs with different stakeholders to jumpstart the promotion of ICCAs as strategy for

the protection and management of, as well as development and peace-building in, biodiversity-rich but threatened territories in the country. Datu Vic Saway presented the Consolidated Action Plan. The Action Plan emphasized five crucial areas in ensuring the recognition and promotion of ICCAs in the Philippines: (i) establishment of partnership structures/ mechanisms; (ii) documentation, mapping, declaration and registration of ICCAs; (iii) policy development; (iv) capacity develop-ment; and (v) financing. The specific activities under each area are summarized below: Establishment of partnership structures/ mechanisms involves the establishment of a national ICCA network and council, formulation of policies and adoption of processes for recognition and support, organizing sub-regional caucuses on ICCAs, linking up of indigenous communities in the international and national support groups to sustain ICCAs, and the setting up of a national registry for ICCAs.

DATU VICTORINO “MIGKETAY” L. SAWAY is an elder of the Talaandig people and the Apo Agbibilin Community Organization. He is also an anthropologist and the founder of the School for Living Traditions (SLT), a culture-based school which aims to instill the importance of indigenous traditions and to preserve them for future generations. The National Council has recognized the SLT for Culture and Arts for its exemplary work and excellence in the field of non-traditional education. He is based in Sungko, Lantapan, Bukidnon and is currently KASAPI’s vice chairman for Mindanao.

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Documentation, mapping, declaration and registration entails the conduct of resource inventory through community consultation meetings, trainings on resource inventory, research and documentation, and collaboration with support groups and various government agencies and offices. Policy development will focus on the establishment of mechanisms for integrating ICCAs in the national and local planning and the setting up of mechanisms for meaningful participation of the indigenous communities in the planning for their ICCAs.

Capacity development for ICCAs will include the establishment of the “School of Living Traditions” and the integration of traditional knowledge and practices on environment and resource management in the curriculum at all levels. An IP Capacity Development Plan will also be prepared, developed and implemented based on capacity assessment to prepare the indigenous communities for alternative livelihood opportunities. Financing ICCAs through the Payment for Ecological Services (PES) scheme will be explored in addition to the development of alternative livelihood opportunities and the provision of skills development initiatives to IP communities.

Rising Up to the Challenges: Issues and Concerns of ICCAs

The open forum after the presentation of the Guiding Principles of Collaborative Work and Partnership in ICCAs and the Consolidated Action Plan surfaced critical issues and concerns that continue to pose challenges to ICCAs. These include various threats to cultural preservation, loss of indigenous people control over their ancestral lands, and non-recognition of customary laws, among others. Several recommendations meant to address these concerns were also provided. Among these are: (i) the empowerment of indigenous peoples for them to better manage their human and natural resources; (ii) the observance of due care in introducing programs and projects, which may sometimes have negative impacts to ICCAs; and (iii) the coordination of government efforts towards the promotion of ICCAs.

Despite the initial accomplishments mentioned above, critical issues and concerns continue to pose some challenges to the ICCAs stakeholders. It is therefore crucial for all concerned to confront these challenges through concerted efforts and in a manner consistent with the Guiding Principles. Some of the most pressing issues and concerns that need to be addressed in the near future were discussed during the open forum. They are as follows:

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Recognition of universal values such as gender and human rights should be ensured despite the primacy of customary laws in IP communities as pointed out by Chairperson Remedios Ignacio-Rikken of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). This entails recognizing the role of women in leadership and marriage. Women should be protected from violence even within IP communities. The issue of polygamy should also be studied, especially on how this affects women.

Figure 15. The ICCAs Governance Triad: IP communities, government and support groups should address ICCAs issues and concerns together.

Cultural preservation remains to be a major concern for IP communities. Their cultures are the only wealth left to the IPs as emphasized by Mr. Sofronio M. Cabatuan, a leader of the Tiruray Tribe from Misamis Occidental. This wealth continues to be threatened, however, even by government programs such as ecotourism campaigns wherein IPs are not consulted from planning to implementation. IP communities do not even share in the income generated from these activities even though their lands are being used. In some cases, traditional dances are reduced to entertainment as IPs are called to perform during anniversaries and fiestas. Improvisations like changing the accompanying music make traditional dances lose their value. More and more IP youths are also being influenced by outside forces–which further threaten their willingness and capacity to preserve their culture.

Striking an acceptable balance between change and preservation should also be considered as articulated by Chair Rikken of PCW This should involve weighing down intergenerational issues among IP communities. One might ask “Should the youth be prevented from leaving the community to preserve its identity?” The reality is that even culture

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changes as everything around it also changes. Socioeconomic development, for that matter, inherently brings about change. Culture is always open to outside influences even without deliberate intervention. IP youths cannot be prevented from linking to the internet, for instance. All these considered, can pristine culture be preserved in relation to the changing times? The PCW, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is seeking the help of the U.P. Anthropology Department and the Ugnayang Pang-Agham Tao (UGAT) in search for answers to this question by planning to conduct studies and organizing forums on the matter.

Advocating ICCAs within IP communities is also proving to be a challenge. Ms. Linda Claire Pawid, NewCAPP Coordinator in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), revealed that some IP leaders are selling their ancestral lands to mining companies. As much as this is an internal governance problem, the issue should be resolved within the IP communities with the actors looking beyond blaming the DENR. This goes without saying that the stakeholders should strengthen ICCA advocacies and include IP groups that do not share them.

Ms. Ma. Theresa Guia-Padilla, Executive Director of AnthroWatch moderated the open forum.

Enhancement of government policies and enforcement is also crucial in promoting ICCAs and the welfare of IPs living in them. For instance, marriages solemnized by IPs, such as those in the CAR, are not officially recognized by the government. This poses additional expenses and other difficulties to the couples and their children. Director Clarence L. Baguilat of DENR-CAR suggested that ICCA concerns should be incorporated to IPRA. Further, the enforcement of the IPRA should be strengthened. Republic Act No. 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 is often cited in resolving IP concerns, despite the IPRA being considered as legally more effective. Datu Elfranco Linsahay of the Talaandig tribe in Bukidnon called upon the three branches of government–

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executive, legislative and judiciary–to recognize the customary laws of the IPs. He also challenged the government and the civil society to support the IPs as they take the lead role in safeguarding biodiversity through the ICCAs.

The Way Forward: Future Directions for ICCAs

IP participants share their insights during the open forum session. When implemented conscientiously, the Consolidated Action Plan could prove to be a potent tool in addressing most of the ICCA issues and concerns mentioned above. Some areas for improvement, however, were pointed out by stakeholders during the National Conference. The following were the major enhancements suggested by the participants: Consistency should be improved with regard to the structure of the Plan. Ms. Jean Centeno of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) noted that some of the Plan’s provisions were at the strategy level, while others were concerned with very specific activities. Ideally, strategies and activities should be treated separately.

Identification of implementing partners would help the government coordinate its efforts towards ICCAs. IPs should also specify how they would like the government to assist them. Timelines, targets, responsible parties and resource requirements should be indicated to facilitate implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Empowering IPs to manage human and natural resources should also be emphasized in the plan aside from recognizing ICCA and indigenous culture as advised by Mr. Dioscoro M. Melana of DENR-Region IX. Human capital should be built up to contribute to economic development and reduce the IPs’ too much dependence on natural resources. In line with this, basic facilities like water and electricity should be provided to the ICCAs. Proactive and beneficial use of the environment, on the other hand, should also be advocated in the plan.

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Caution should be made, however, in introducing programs and projects that–although well-intended–might have negative impacts on IP communities by creating internal disputes. This actually had been the fate of some national government programs that did not consider the real situation of the IP communities. Mr. Napoleon Buendicho, a Dumagat and governor of the Quezon Provincial Tribal Council, stressed the need to strictly follow the consultation process in order to help the IP communities develop. The government should also provide sufficient funds to ensure the full and effective implementation of the IPRA.

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Session Three: Statement of Support for ICCAs

On the second day of the National Conference, various stakeholders affirmed their support for ICCAs. The session was initiated with a consortium of representatives from the government, diplomatic community, international funding institutions and development organizations, all pledging their commitments and support to ICCAs, the IPs themselves and protection and conservation of biodiversity.

Spanish Embassy

The Spanish Embassy is committed to pursue initiatives with the Philippine government that promote the interest of IPs and ecological biodiversity. This is made possible by the funding of NGOs and UN agencies, wherein the key beneficiaries were areas that major indigenous groups reside (Caraga and Southern Luzon. Ms. Molina also noted that issues and concerns of IPs are now being included in multilateral agenda, gaining global attention and support.

Ms. Maria Molina of the Spanish Embassy

The Spanish Embassy, through its Deputy Head of Mission, Ms. Maria Molina, declared its support to ICCAs and recognized that the indigenous people remain to be one of the most vulnerable groups to natural and man-made disasters that are both indicators of environmental degradation and exploitation:

…allow me to express Spain’s pledge with the indigenous people’s rights and our strong commitment to preserve the biodiversity in our planet…The world is waking up to human driven climate change and the impacts of ecological destruction will affect us all… Humanity certainly cannot afford the risk of inaction…

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Ms. Molina cited several initiatives with the Philippine government that promote the interest of IPs and ecological biodiversity. These initiatives are focused on poverty alleviation and promoting inclusive development through the implementation of their own community plans. This is made possible through The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). Since its establishment, AECID has been striving to protect and assist indigenous peoples based on the human rights approach, which is intended to disseminate and support the fulfillment of the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide, as well as to establish measures to ensure that indigenous peoples are the main actors and beneficiaries of their own development. Through funding of NGOs and UN agencies, most especially the International Labour Organization (ILO), AECID was able to raise over €8 million since 2005. The key beneficiaries from this fund were Caraga and Southern Luzon regions, where major indigenous groups reside. Majority of the initiatives were focused in strengthening the capacities of the communities to formulate Sustainable Development and Protection Plans taking ancestral domain management into careful consideration. The international community has also recognized the IP involvement and has included indigenous issues in the multilateral agenda as an effect. Relative to this is the creation of a Fund for Indigenous Communities in the framework of the Ibero-American Conferences held each year, where the Philippines is an associate member since 2009 due to its historical linkage with Latin America. According to Ms. Molina, the fund could be explored to serve as an opportunity to implement programs, linking those indigenous communities in the Philippines with those found in Latin America. The Spanish Embassy, through Ms. Molina, commended the Philippine government for its commitment to protect the biodiversity and the recognition of the role of the indigenous community in protecting it. She cited the CBD signed by the Philippine government in 1992 and the enactment of the IPRA as “landmark decisions worth celebrating.” These government actions further reflect its dedication to promote and protect the rights of the indigenous peoples, including the right to ancestral domain. Energy Development Corporation (EDC)

EDC stressed the importance of consultations with IPs and introduced the social acceptance process, which was eventually adopted by the government. Ms. De Jesus also reiterated the special relationship of IPs with the land and environment, which further explains the need to conduct consultations for social acceptance participative decision-making in community development projects.

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Energy Development Corporation Vice President for Environment

and External Relations Agnes de Jesus

The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) supports ICCAs. EDC Vice President for Environment & External Relations Agnes de Jesus stressed the importance of sharing the same views and going towards the same direction since the primary goal is preservation of nature:

…hindi dapat mag-iba ang tingin ng isang developer, o isang kumpanya, o isang organisasyon, o isang ahensya ng gobyerno sa tingin ng mga IP dahil parehong kalikasan ang ating tinitingnan...

The goals of the IPs can be achieved alongside the goals of the developers, so advocated by Ms. De Jesus, citing specifically the energy crisis in 1990 in North Cotabato, wherein the lumads are seriously against the geothermal projects. She shared:

..lahat ng mga aspirations at desires ng mga IPs ay pwedeng mangyari kasi nakita kong nangyari sa aming kumpanya… dapat pakinggan natin sila (IPs) dahil hindi tayo magkakaroon ng proyekto dito para sa mga tao kung di natin sila pakikinggan…

She stressed the importance of consultations with IPs and introduced the social acceptance process, which was eventually adopted by the government. The social acceptance process is manifested in the expansion of community relations wherein the IPs are involved in community development projects. They came up with HELEn- health, education, livelihood and environment - which altogether demonstrate the possibility of achieving goals from all stakeholders.

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Whatever any organization does to the mountains has an effect to the greater environment and community. EDC’s projects are highly dependent on the mountain’s resources and their activities greatly affect the IP communities. They came up with the project called BERT (Barangay Emergency Response Team), which empowers the community through education and participatory responsiveness during typhoons and other natural disasters. Lastly, most IP groups are consistent with their relationship with the land and the environment. EDC created a Cultural Heritage Policy, wherein this relationship of IP and environment is enhanced by establishing protocols and procedures in their company. World Bank

The World Bank expressed their support to ICCAs and reiterated the Safeguards Policy where the primary goal is to protect the rights of IPs. Ms. Lazaro observed that FPIC seem to do more harm than good, challenging other stakeholders in ensuring that the guidelines being used to promote and protect the IPs would genuinely lead to inclusive development.

Ms. Victoria Lazaro of the World Bank

World Bank, as represented by their Operations Officer, Ms. Victoria Lazaro, expressed their support to ICCAs and saw no problem with the expectations of IPs on support groups. World Bank has the Safeguards Policy where the primary goal is to protect the rights of IPs and has the primary principle of doing no harm. However, doing no harm would simply resort to avoidance and development and is no longer inclusive. In this process, development leaves behind those who are afraid to get harmed. The do no harm principle has evolved to do good instead. Ms. Lazaro noted that while the IPRA is superior, there is still a need to examine if these laws truly promote and uphold the rights and interests of the IPs. She cited the FPIC as an example:

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…ang naririnig ko sa inyo ngayon, mukhang yung FPIC, na isa sa mga pundasyon ng IPRA, ay hindi nakakatulong sa inyo. At aaminin ko sa inyo, kagaya din ng mga development agencies, nahihirapan din kami sa FPIC system natin ngayon.

She challenged other stakeholders in ensuring that the guidelines being used to promote and protect the IPs would genuinely lead to inclusive development. Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The ADB declared their support by highlighting the Safeguard Policy Statement which includes three safeguard areas: environment, involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples. Ms. Simbolon said that the initiatives of the government in protecting ICCAs are in line with the Safeguard Policy Statements of ADB, which the organization will continue to support through the implementation of the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project.

Ms. Indira Simbolon of the Asian Development Bank

Ms. Indira Simbolon, Principle Social Development Specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), declared ADB’s support to ICCAs. She expressed gratitude for allowing her to participate in the conference because she is an IP herself, and to witness the realization of the indigenous peoples’ right to determine the direction of their own development. The ADB has a Safeguard Policy Statement which includes three safeguard areas: environment, involuntary resettlement and indigenous peoples. It upholds the meaningful consultations principle on all ADB-supported projects in IP areas and those projects affecting them. She further explained that a project proponent is required to seek the consent of the affected IP communities when the ADB-supported project involves any of the following activities:

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- Commercial development of cultural resources of IPs - Physical displacement of IPs from their customary lands or territories - Commercial development of natural resources on IP lands.

The recognition of the government and all other stakeholders of ICCAs are in line with the spirit of ADB’s Safeguards Policy Statement which would further facilitate the smooth implementation of ADB-supported projects involving natural resources and environmental management. ADB is supporting an Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project, which was recently approved by the Philippine government. The project primarily seeks to address unsustainable watershed management in four priority river basins of the country. These are: the Chico River Basin, Wahig-Inabanga in Bohol, Lake Lanao in Mindanao, and Upper Bukidnon River Basin. The project outcomes will help clarify, rationalize and delineate the use rights of local communities and IPs as part of watershed management regimes. Watershed Management Plans will respect existing tenurial arrangements and treat ancestral domains of IPs or ICCs as distinct management units. In closing, she declared:

…the Asian Development Bank believes that the initiative for ICCAs in the Philippines is timely and worth supporting… we are also pleased to learn that the DENR and the NCIP have expressed their commitment to work hand-in-hand for the realization of the ICCAs. Such expression of commitment in this regard is very important as the two agencies are also those with which the Asian Development Bank has worked with in many projects in indigenous peoples areas. ADB will support the ICCAs initiatives in the implementation of the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project…

International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

IFAD discussed cultural heritage and identity as assets and drivers for IPs to overcome poverty. Mr. Arban also observed that multilateral agencies are having a hard time with FPIC, but explained also that FPIC is very important in protecting IP communities in determining their priorities and strategies for development, which needs to be supported in this context. Moreover, he discussed the conversion of CADC to CADTs as one means to secure ancestral domain.

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Mr. Yolando Arban, IFAD Country Program Officer The IFAD subsequently declared their support to ICCAs through its Country Program Officer, Mr. Yolando Arban. He discussed cultural heritage and identity as assets to enable IPs to overcome poverty. He acknowledged that multilateral agencies like World Bank and ADB are having difficulties with the FPIC system in the country. However, he emphasized that the FPIC is a very important mechanism to protect the IPs’ self-determination and strategies for development. He divulged:

…may problema tayo sa FPIC…other development agencies like the World Bank and ADB have bad experiences…but FPIC is very important in protecting IP communities in determining their priorities and strategies for development…we really need to support FPIC in that context…

He presented the completed and ongoing programs of IFAD that support IP communities and biodiversity conservation in various regions in the country. He cited that the IFAD has a strong history of supporting such causes, as one of the agency’s main strategy for poverty alleviation. He discussed community-driven development that will ensure the protection of the IP lands and in promoting equitable access to land as a strategy in their own development. In particular, he mentioned the conversion of CADC to CADTs to secure ancestral domain. He affirmed IFAD’s respect for indigenous peoples’ knowledge as the primary champions of environmental protection and declared the agency’s support to IPs on environmental issues and climate change and to help them raise awareness through dialogues with stakeholders.

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To further support ICCA, IFAD will explore the following:

• In coordination with ADB as its co-financier, engagement in ICCA-specific strategies and activities in the forthcoming implementation of INREM under the aegis of the DENR;

• Recognition and eventual assistance for ICCA accreditation of IFAD-funded project sites;

• Continuing participation in ICCA policy dialogues, as IFAD requires further orientation on the finer points of ICCA as being promoted in the country; and

• Creating space for IP youth participation, access to resources, and benefit sharing from ICCA initiatives, thereby ensuring continuity of ICCA.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (DENR-PAWB)

The DENR continuously works with the people and their communities through initiatives which are primarily geared towards the essential goal of improving the quality of life of the IPs, acknowledging the inevitable links between ICCAs and indigenous territories and the customary laws and culture that sustain them. The department will advance the cause of ICCAs to improve the quality of life of IPs through environmental protection and conservation.

In recognition of the principles and rights of the IPs, the DENR continuously works with the people and their communities. The foundation of this cooperation is the engagement of IPs in sustainable natural resources management. These initiatives are primarily geared towards the essential goal of improving the quality of life of the IPs. PAWB Assistant Director Nelson Devanadera affirmed DENR’s support in strengthening the IPs, particularly the move against the development of new systems that will weaken or discredit the IPs, by including it in developing support guidelines for the recognition of ICCAs. He cited Principle 4 which is about strengthening the involvement and coordination with IP and support groups. He said that he is hopeful that they will continue to have more meaningful engagement with IPs based on the action plans and framework in support of a National ICCA Program. He made it known that the National Conference is a part of a GEF/UNDP-DENR Project for 2011-2015 in 12 pilot areas, seven sites of which havie IPs as partners. This project will be

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able to quantify all the efforts in putting ICCA as a tool for environmental protection particularly for biodiversity and sustainable development. He further added:

…Lahat po ito ay patungo sa pagpapaganda ng antas ng pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan. We also do recognize that ICCAs would be critical for the country’s resiliency and climate change mitigation strategies.

He acknowledged the inevitable links between ICCAs and indigenous territories and the customary laws and culture that sustain them. He affirmed that they will advance the cause of ICCAs to improve the quality of life of IPs through environmental protection and conservation. Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF)

PTFCF mentioned the three K’s that they recognize and appreciate among IPs: Karapatan, kaalaman, karanasan (right, knowledge, experience) in caring and nurturing the forests, land and the greater environment. Atty. Canivel announced their readiness for dialogues to accept project proposals from the IPs for the protection of their forests and ICCAs. He encouraged the IPs to refer to their website (www.ptfcf.org) for the guidelines on project proposals or get in touch with their organization for further assistance and collaboration.

Atty. Jose Andres Canivel of PTFCF

The Executive Director of Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), Atty. Jose Andres Canivel, mentioned the three K’s that they recognize and appreciate among IPs: Karapatan, kaalaman, karanasan (right, knowledge, experience) in caring and nurturing the forests, land and the greater environment. He declared:

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….Ang Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation ay kinikilala po ang inyong karapatan, sa pangangalaga ng kagubatan at iba pang bahagi ng kalikasan at kalupaan. Sisikapin po namin na magkaroon tayo ng ugnayan at magkasama-sama...

He expressed his gratitude for formulating plans, guidelines and activities that constantly seek to promote and protect ICCAs. He cited examples where their organization has supported ICCAs specifically in Palawan and Bataan but noted that they have not engaged in Mindanao, but is optimistic in extending their support. He announced their readiness for dialogues to accept project proposals from the IPs for the protection of their forests and ICCAs. He encouraged the IPs to refer to their website (www.ptfcf.org) for the guidelines on project proposals or get in touch with their organization for further assistance and collaboration. He conveyed his optimism in working with the IPs on their future projects. Tebtebba Foundation

Tebtebba reiterated their capacity to provide training on integrated and sustainable approaches and self-determination to strengthen IP communities, which have three major approaches: human rights-based, katutubong kaalaman or indigenous knowledge approach; or intercultural. Moreover, Ms. Regpala stressed and shared the importance of sacred or holy places in the essence of becoming an IP.

Ms. Len Regpala of Tebtebba Foundation

Tebtebba’s Community Biodiversity Development and Conservation (CBDC) representative, Ms. Len Regpala, declared their group’s support for ICCAs. She is grateful for the opportunity, as a member of an IP organization, to air their concerns and learn from other participants as well. She reiterated the Foundation’s capacity to provide training on integrated and sustainable approaches and self-determination to strengthen IP communities. The trainings have three major approaches: human rights-based approach; katutubong kaalaman approach or taking into consideration indigenous

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knowledge; and intercultural approach or becoming aware and sensitive about different indigenous cultures and how these different cultures interact and interrelate. An additional approach is the ecosystems approach, which takes into consideration the knowledge and practices of the IPs in managing their territory based on the ecosystem (sustainable approaches). The Foundation can also offer research and documentation assistance for indigenous knowledge. She stressed and shared the importance of sacred or holy places in the essence of becoming an IP. She explained:

...napakahalaga po ng mga sagradong lugar. At napakahalaga ng mga kaalaman hinggil sa sagradong lugar. Ang iba po sa atin dito hindi lang po siguro masyadong nasasabi ‘yon, pero malaki ang halaga nito sa pagkaka-pagka- katutubo …

German Institute for Development (GIZ)

The German Institute for Development or GIZ shared its extensive experience in working with the IPs in the region on the support for the enhancement of ethnicity guidelines which are directed towards ICCA conservation, with much focus on the preservation of indigenous practices in biodiversity conservation. Ms. Kramer expressed interest in exploring collaborative work with other stakeholders.

Ms. Anna Kramer of German Institute for Development

The German Institute for Development or GIZ through its Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) Programme in Caraga Region, shared its extensive experience in working with the IPs in the region on the support for the enhancement of ethnicity guidelines. The Institute also extends programs with a lot of component on indigenous practices on the conservation of biodiversity and climate change adaptation.

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Ms. Anna Kramer, representing GIZ, noted that their initiatives are directed towards ICCA conservation, with much focus on the preservation of indigenous practices in biodiversity conservation. She reported that they have been conducting consultations with the IPs regarding these projects. She stated:

…I am very excited to see what can we learn from each other… and where can we work with synergy…to promote indigenous practices and to recognize the role of indigenous practices in biodiversity conservation…

The support for ICCAs as a new regime of governance in biodiversity conservation coming from different organizations – from international organizations to the Philippine government, NGOs, academe and the IP leaders and communities as well – witnessed in the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines, signify a very crucial period where environmental protection and conservation cannot be dismissed or delayed for future time. The call to expand coverage of biodiversity protected areas through ICCAs gave a handle for the IPs to get recognized, their systems respected and the governance of their ICCAs and ancestral domains as their own—a long-overdue recognition of the worth of the IPs traditional knowledge and systems. Achieving this alone is considered a success for the part of the IPs, but the implementation on the ground by the support organizations like the government and NGOs is a matter worth monitoring.

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The Manila Declaration on ICCAs The Manila Declaration on ICCAs is the culmination of collaborative efforts of the IP leaders and other stakeholders during the sub-national workshops. It reflects the way IPs interpret and understand their environment. ICCAs are shaped by a history of indigenous activities, and the IPs should, therefore, define the future of ICCAs through the footsteps of their ancestors.

Participants show their support by signing the Manila Declaration.

Declaration on Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas Deklarasyon Hinggil sa mga Pook na Pinapangalagaan ng mga Katutubo at iba pang Lokal na Pamayanan Three distinguished representatives from different tribes were called to read assigned portions of the “Manila Declaration”(1) Datu Vic Saway, a member of the Talaandig tribe from Bukidnon and the vice chairman of KASAPI in Mindanao who read both the Filipino and English translation of the first portion of the declaration; (2) Elsa Dioayan, a member of the Tinguian tribe and a community environmental specialist from Tubo, Abra; (3) Datu Ed Banda, a Manobo from North Cotabato and the KASAPI Chairperson.

We, leaders of indigenous communities, and representatives of indigenous peoples’ organizations, assembled in Quezon City this 30th day of March 2012 for the National Conference on Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities Conserved Areas (ICCAs); Recall the terms of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the 1989 Indigenous and Tribal Peoples’

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Convention, the Convention on Biodiversity, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, and the many other instruments affirming our rights as indigenous peoples; Recognize that respect for indigenous knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contribute to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment; Emphasize our close and traditional dependence that embodies traditional lifestyles on biological resources, and the desirability of sharing equitable benefits from the use of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices relevant to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components; Strongly believe that as indigenous peoples, our control over developments affecting us and our lands, territories and resources will enable us to maintain and strengthen our institutions, cultures and traditions, and to promote our development in accordance with our aspirations and needs; Acknowledge that there is an increasing awareness and recognition of our role as indigenous peoples in the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of cultural diversity; Affirm that for over thousands of years, we have played a critical role in conserving a variety of natural environments and species, for a variety of purposes, including economic, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic, through customary laws and other effective means; In our judgment, many of these traditional territories and community conserved areas are often neglected, unrecognized and under threat from inappropriate development and educational models, foreign religious intrusions, and change of local value systems due to foreign influences; Believe that this declaration is an important step forward for the recognition, promotion and protection of the rights and freedom of indigenous peoples to govern their traditional territories and community conserved areas; Solemnly proclaim the following as the standards and guiding principles in the realization of the declaration, recognition and support of ICCAs:

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Basic activities in the involvement and participation of IPs, support groups, and the government in indigenous peoples and other local communities conserved areas: IPs and Local Communities

• Preparation of plans for capacity-building for effective ICCA management

• Restoration and preservation of the full freedom of IPs • Enforcement of traditional or customary laws • Capability-building of communities in natural resources preservation • Living according to customs based on culture, in words and deeds • Rekindling of relationship with nature, including the unseen • Identification and acknowledgment of everyone’s contribution • Viewing ICCAs as strategies for protection, management,

development and peace-building • Recognition that ICCAs should be comprehensive to respect the

territory’s dignity and integrity • Recognition of customary law as highest basis in policy making and

management of ICCAs

Philippine Government • Respect and recognition of traditional rights of IPs • Respect and recognition of ICCAs based on native title or other

traditional and cultural indicators • Provision of support to IPs in ICCA management • Strengthening of the involvement and inclusion of IPs and their

support groups • Viewing of ICCAs as strategies for protection, management and

peace-building • Recognition that ICCAs should be comprehensive to respect the

integrity and dignity of IPs’ territories • Recognition of customary laws as the highest standard in policy-

making and management of ICCAs Support Groups

• Provision of guidance • Recognition and respect to ICCAs based on native title or other

traditional and cultural indicators • Respect to spiritual relationships of IPs • Provision of support to IPs in ICCA management • Strengthening of the involvement and inclusion of IPs and their

support groups • Viewing of ICCAs as strategies for protection

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• Viewing of ICCAs as strategies for protection, management and peace-building

• Recognition that ICCAs should be comprehensive to respect the integrity and dignity of IPs’ territories

• Recognition of customary laws as the highest standard in policy-making and management of ICCAs

Establishment of National ICCA Network in the Philippines • Conference participants/ declaration signatories to organize

themselves as the National ICCA Network in the Philippines • KASAPI to be designated as lead organization and ad-hoc council to

coordinate and implement consolidated action plan until the establishment of ICCA national network and council

Planned activities for the recognition and support to ICCAs

• Establishment of a national registry of ICCAs in the Philippines • Documentation, mapping and inclusion of ICCAs in the national

registry • Formulation of policies and establishment of processes for the

support and recognition of ICCAs including the establishment of the Philippine national ICCA registry and mechanisms for integrating ICCA plans into the national and local development planning

• Establishment of “School of Living Traditions,” integration of traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation in school curricula and build capacity for the preparation of an ICCA Capacity Building Development Plan

• Pursuing schemes to raise funds for financing ICCA plans of the member communities

• Setting-up systems and procedures for the establishment of the National ICCA Network in the Philippines

The IPs and the participants of the conference from support organizations finalized the Declaration and forged their unity and support of the “Manila Declaration” by affixing their signatures on it, after which responses to the Manila Declaration on ICCAS were given.

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Responses to Manila Declaration on ICCAs

House Deputy Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III He defined his role as one of the direct representatives of the people in the Government and referred to IPRA as a venue to fulfill Congress’ obligation to safeguard the right of IPs to self-determination. However, its implementation remains imperfect. He reiterated the need to revisit the laws pertaining to extractive industries and recognition of the role of IPs in managing the environment, with careful consideration to ancestral domain. He left a challenge for all stakeholders to translate observations to concrete plans of actions, hopeful to receive innovative proposals. House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III defined his role as one of the direct representatives of the people in the Government. He referred to the commitments under UNDRIP, specifically IPRA, as a venue to fulfill Congress’ obligation to safeguard the right of IPs to self-determination. He acknowledged that institutional reforms are needed in NCIP to better carry out its mandate, emphasizing that the intent of IPRA remains pure but its implementation has been imperfect. Deputy Speaker Tañada expressed his commitment to provide support for any endeavor that would push for the ratification of UNDRIP. He also mentioned the need to review laws and policies on extractive

industries which he described as detrimental to indigenous peoples. On this note, he reported that the Alternative Mining Bill is being taken up by the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill incorporated the previous demands of the IPs that stirred to revise the current mining law, with careful consideration to FPIC. The revised law also gives the indigenous community 10 percent of gross revenue as well as adequate compensation for the use of their land and water resources, should they allow the mining to take place. Above all, the new bill recognizes the ownership of indigenous communities on their ancestral lands.

REP. LORENZO “ERIN” R. TAÑADA III is the representative of the Fourth District of Quezon Province in the Philippine Congress, of which he is currently deputy speaker and a member of the Joint Power Commission. With much of his youth spent on advocacy, it was no surprise that the same activist spirit later dominated his career in the legal profession, as he took on mostly labor and human rights cases in the firm of Tañada, Vivo and Tan.

Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III's advocacies on economic policy, the environment, labor, human rights and good governance continue to shape and influence the legislative agenda of the House of Representatives.

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Indigenous communities are most vulnerable in the shifts in the ecological balance, being the first casualties of climate change, a situation which should not be allowed to continue. He also assured that there are efforts within the government in creating awareness of human rights frameworks, and the need to institutionalize human rights as a policy consideration in order to move forward. He concludes his response by summarizing the urgent needs as reflected in the Declaration. First he reiterated the need to revisit the laws pertaining to extractive industries which poses great threats to indigenous communities. Next is the recognition of the role of IPs in managing the environment, with careful consideration to ancestral domain. He declares:

…recognize the role of our indigenous brothers as leaders in their own right, and respect their customs and practices, especially the fact of their unique relationship to our national habitat…

He left a challenge for all stakeholders to turn their observations to concrete plans of actions, hopeful to receive innovative proposals in achieving the common goal of protecting ICCAs. NCIP Chairperson Zenaida Brigida Pawid

NCIP committed to send all stakeholders a reply in writing from the NCIP on every point raised in the “Manila Declaration”. She noted the readiness of IPs to accept the huge responsibility on ICCA, and to look beyond their customs and traditions and accept change. She shares the observation of younger IPs wanting to work in the cities rather than in their respective communities as well as the inability to speak their native tongue. Moreover, she asserted the Commission’s challenge to the DENR “to declare conserved areas as ancestral domain.”

NCIP Chairperson Pawid committed to send all stakeholders a reply in writing from the NCIP on every point raised in the “Manila Declaration” within a week. Reflecting on what transpired over the past two days of the conference, and all other similar events, she posed a question regarding the IPs’ readiness to accept the huge responsibility on ICCA, and to look beyond their customs and traditions and accept change:

…una…tayo ba bilang mga indigenous people…handa na ba tayong tanggapin ang responsibilidad ng ICCA? Hindi ito magiging madali. Mahirap itong pinasukan natin pero bilang katutubo, ako po ay buong-pusong naniniwala na tayo ay hindi matutumba at tatayo sa tanong na ito. Pangalawa,

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handa ba tayong tumingin sa labas, malayo sa ating kinagisnang ancestral domains? Handa ba tayong tugunan… magbalik-tanaw lahat kung saan tayo nanggaling…kung ano ang mga ugali at prosesong… kinagisnan nating kabuhayan…

She expressed fear that somehow, the IPs themselves are missing the point, stressing that most of the IPs today, especially the youth, are no longer versed with their native tongue. She also described the prevailing desire for indigenous people to go to the cities to work. She relates:

…hindi tayo humihiwalay sa bansang Pilipino, kundi humihingi ng pagkakataon para maging rainbow o bahaghari ang Pilipinas... dahil dati hindi tayo kasama doon. Pero kung isasama ang mga IP magiging mas magandang bahaghari…

Pawid proceeded by announcing that the NCIP greatly supports the ICCAs, but asserted that the Commission expects the DENR “to declare conserved areas as ancestral domain,” a challenge warmly received by the IPs and participants of the conference. Ms. Grace Tena, UNDP

UNDP’s key priorities under its Country Programme for 2012-2016 are: i) support the NCIP and the land demarcation process; (ii) environmental projects undertaken through the GEF-Small Grants Programme modality; (iii) inclusive governance, access to justice and the human rights based approach to development; and (iv) capacity building and economic empowerment under the peace and development agenda. Ms. Tena also reiterated that the Small Grants Programme (SGP) will continue to prop up environmental initiatives of local communities with special attention to IPs.

UNDP Programme Manager Grace Tena assures IP participants

that their organization is supporting the ICCA initiative. UNDP Programme Associate Grace Tena congratulated the organizers and the entire stakeholders who took part in the successful conference. She

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stated that support to indigenous peoples is a key priority of UNDP under its Country Programme for 2012-2016. She enumerated a number of projects under this program. These are: i) support the NCIP and the land demarcation process; (ii) environmental projects undertaken through the GEF-Small Grants Programme modality; (iii) inclusive governance, access to justice and the human rights based approach to development; and (iv) capacity building and economic empowerment under the peace and development agenda. She declared UNDP’s commitment to continue supporting these initiatives and programs. She articulated:

…rest assured that UNDP will continue to support the ICCAs especially in building and strengthening capacities of our indigenous communities and other stakeholders not only in pursuit of biodiversity conservation but also in upholding the rights and welfare of the indigenous peoples…

Ms. Tena reiterated that their Small Grants Programme (SGP) will continue to prop up environmental initiatives of local communities with special attention to IPs, which is now on a new programming cycle for the next four years, and have identified the need to support new PA management modalities such as ICCAs. Finally she announced that their organization will be working with other UN agencies and other international development and donor organizations in developing a program of support to ICCAs in particular, and of IPs in general.

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Closing Remarks The two-day National Conference concluded after well-participated discussions, sharing of IP experiences and vows of commitment to support ICCAs in Sessions 1 and 2, and formulating the Manila Declaration with all the stakeholders affixing their signatures to signify their unity and cooperation towards the recognition and protection of the rights of the IPs in governing their ICCAs and ancestral domain.

IP participants present the Manila Declaration to Deputy Speaker Lorenzo R. Tañada III.

Bae Helen Pojaras, Manobo leader

She noted that the full implementation of ICCAs would further contribute to the protection of ancestral domains. She thanked Deputy Speaker Tañada for upholding the IPRA, though after 15 years, the IPRA has never been fully understood and felt by the IPs. Lastly, she asserted that there is no competition among different IP groups since they have the same goals.

Manobo leader Bae Helen Pojaras thanks the participants and guests of the Conference

for their support for ICCAs and the advancement of IP rights.

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Bae Helen Pojaras, a Manobo from Tagkiling, Butuan City, representing the IPs, expressed gratitude to different local and international groups and organizations that continuously help and promote the rights and welfare of the IPs. She noted that the full implementation of ICCAs would further contribute to the protection of ancestral domains. She thanked Deputy Speaker Tañada for upholding the IPRA. Bae Pojaras, however, identified the problem in implementation: after 15 years, the IPRA has never been fully understood and felt by the IPs themselves. Lastly, she asserted that there is no competition among different IP groups

since they have the same goals. …wala tayong dapat pag-kumpetinsyahan. Tulong-tulong tayong lahat. Para naman kaming IP groups sa baba ay makamit ang tunay sa serbisyo at tunay na para sa amin. DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio, Policy and Planning Undersecretary Ignacio noted the IPs have been practicing sustainable development long time ago and remain to be their best partners in sustainable development. The ICCAs have been unrecognized and the conference served as a venue to express IPs’ interests and concerns. He also highlighted Department Order No. 2 which recognizes the rights of IPs to their ancestral domains. He affirmed their support to the Manila Declaration on ICCA. DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio congratulated everybody who organized and participated in the conference. He noted the IPs have been practicing sustainable development long time ago and remain to be their best allies in sustainable development. “Long before any of us even dreamed of sustainable development, the ICCAs have already been practicing it,” he said.

USEC. DEMETRIO I. IGNACIO JR is a career official and presently, the DENR undersecretary for Policy and Planning. He is also the presiding officer of the Pollution Adjudication Board and the National Water Resources Board. He is the ASEAN Senior Official on the Environment for the Philippines, and supervising official for the water sector. He is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit for Exemplary Performance, Leadership and Integrity. Undersecretary Ignacio is a graduate of the University of the Philippines. He took up postgraduate studies at the University of Manchester in England, U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C., and at the Austrian Administrative Staff College in Melbourne.

Proceedings of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines 111

The ICCAs have been unrecognized and the conference served as a venue to express IPs’ interests and concerns. He also highlighted Department Order No. 2 which recognizes the rights of IPs to their ancestral domains. He affirmed their support to the Manila Declaration on ICCAs, calling it a testament of preserving nature and culture. He thanked the partners for the conference and recognized the effort of IPs to gather together for the common goal of protecting the environment. The First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines ended up with high hopes on the ICCAs as a new governance regime for biodiversity conservation and expansion of protected areas: for the IPs, the full recognition of their traditional knowledge and cultural practices in conserving and preserving the environment and their ancestral domains; and for the other stakeholders, a partnership with the IP communities in the common agenda of biodiversity conservation. The conference participants and organizers are ready and united to face the challenges ahead, to work together in unison for the country’s environment.  

Proceedings of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines 113

ANNEXES

Annex A – Topographical or Location Map of the Philippine ICCAsMentioned

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Annex B - Photos from the National Conference

Participants and guests view the exhibit put up during the national conference.

Perfomers play the gangsa to entice guests to partake in the dancing of thepattong, a traditional dance in the Cordilleras.

NATURE CONSERVATION IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OUR ANCESTORS118

Indigenous women led the dancing of the pattong during the dinner hosted by UPPresident Alfredo Pascual.

Delegates and guests gamely participate in an icebreaker activity to enliven thesession.

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Advocates of IP rights affix their signature on The Manila Declarion on ICCA tosignify their support.

PAWB-DENR Assistant Director Mr. Nelson Devanadera awards PAFIDExecutive Director David de Vera a certificate of appreciation inrecognition of his efforts as one of the lead convenors of the NationalConference on ICCAs.

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ANNEX C- Directory of Participants

Embassies, Donors and International Organizations

Name Position Organization Lilibeth Cabebe CHM and KM Officer,

Biodiversity Information Management

Asean Center for Biodiversity

Rhia Galsim Capacity Development Officer, Program Development and Implementation

Asean Center for Biodiversity

Elaine Thomas Social Development Specialist, Southeast Asia Department

Asian Development Bank

Indira Simbolon Principal Social Development Specialist, Regional and Sustainable Development Department, Environment and Safeguards Division

Asian Development Bank

Syarifah Aman-Wooster Senior Social Development Specialist, Southeast Asia Department, Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Division

Asian Development Bank

Anna Kramer Junior Expert GIZ - Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) Program

Philip Anghag Senior Advisor GIZ - Conflict Sensitive Resource and Asset Management (COSERAM) Program

Dr. Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend Global Coordinator ICCA Consortium Vanessa Reid Communications Officer ICCA Consortium-Indonesia May Gladys Butoy Project Officer IFES Philippines Mary Ann Pollisco-Botengan IFAD Consultant International Fund for

Agricultural Development Yolando Arban Country Programme Officer International Fund for

Agricultural Development Miriam Fischer Project Co-Manager, IPDEV Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Colleen Corrigan Senior Programme Officer,

Protected Areas, UNEP-WCMC

United Nations Environment Program-World Conservation Monitoring Council

Grace Tena Program Associate, Energy and Environment

UNDP-Philippines

Michael Joseph Jaldon Programme Associate UNDP-Philippines Randy Vinluan Sustainable Landscape

Specialist USAID

Victoria Florian Lazaro Operations Officer World Bank

Maria Molina Deputy Head of Mission Embassy of Spain

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Name Position Organization Mercedes Corneja Program Manager Embassy of Spain/ AECID Ioseba Amatriain Junior Program Officer Embassy of Spain Hubert D' Aboville President European Chamber of

Commerce of the Philippines Gene Castro Project Staff FAO/UN Tom Temprosa Ext. Rel. Assoc. UNHLR Hussein Macarambon Liason Officer UNESCO

Guests

Name Position Organization/Address Hon. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

Senator Senate of the Philippines

Hon. Lorenzo R. Tañada III Representative House of Representatives, PH

Renaud Meyer Country Director UNDP-Philippines Atty. Analiza Rebuelta-Teh Undersectary and Chief of Staff DENR

Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co Dean UP NCPAG

Dr. J. Prospero De Vera III Vice President for Public Affairs UP Diliman

DENR

Name Position Organization/Address

Atty. Roberto Oliva Assistant Secretary for Lands and LMB Director, DENR

DENR

Demetrio L. Ignacio Undersecretary Planning and Policy, DENR

DENR

Edwin G. Domingo OIC Over All Director, Foreign Assisted and Special Projects Office

DENR

Gloria Arce Chief, Project Monitoring and Evaluation Division, FASPO

DENR

Joey E. Austria Chief, Indigenous Community Affairs Division, Special Concerns Office

DENR

Lilia SD. Raflores Coordinator DENR-Climate Change Office

Rod Cava Project Evaluation Officer II DENR Clarence Baguilat, Jr. Regional Executive Director DENR-CAR Reynald Yawan Regional Technical Director for

PAWCZMS DENR-CAR

Joel Behis PAWD Chief DENR-CAR

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Name Position Organization/Address

Claire Pawid Regional Project Coordinator, NewCAPP

DENR-CAR

Ronnie Jacinto Supervising EMS DENR-Region 1

Jovito B. Layugan, Jr. Regional Technical Director for PAWCZMS

DENR-Region 2

Ricardo L. Calderon Regional Executive Director DENR-Region 3 Arthur Salazar Regional Technical Director for

PAWCZMS DENR-Region 3

Minerva J. Martinez Regional Project Coordinator, NewCAPP

DENR-Region 3

Precious Apple Lopez Forester DENR-Region 3 Reynulfo Juan Regional Executive Director DENR-Region 4A Arnulfo Z. Hernandez Regional Technical Director for

PAWCZMS DENR-Region 4A

Victor H. Mercado PAWD Chief DENR-Region 4A Concordio Zuniga Regional Executive Director DENR-Region 4B Rodel Boyles PASU, Regional Focal Person DENR-Region 4B Yolanda Sa-ong OIC-PAWD DENR-Region 5 Carlo C. Custodio Regional Technical Director for

PAWCZMS DENR-Region 6

Dioscorro M. Melana Regional Technical Director for PAWCZMS

DENR-Region 9

Corazon Galinato Regional Executive Director DENR-Region 10 Marilou Clarete PAWD Chief DENR-Region 10 Achilles Camaso PASU Staff, Mt. Kalatungan DENR-Region 10 Primitivo Galinato Confidential Secretary to the RED

10 DENR-Region 10

Emmanuel E. Isip Regional Technical Director for PAWCZMS

DENR-Region 11

Ali Hadjinasser Chief, PAWD DENR-Region 12 Leonardo R. Sibbaluca Regional Executive Director DENR-Region 13 Jaime G. Ubanos PAWD Chief DENR-Region 13 Edgardo Bacomo Regional Project Coordinator,

NewCAPP DENR-Region 13

Graciella Babalo Technical Staff EMB-EAIMD Babyln Cacao EMS 1 PAWB Danilo Santos Computer Technician Technologist

II PAWB

Ernestina Jose BMS, Section Chief PAWB Evelyn Carino Administrative Officer V PAWB Gerardo Lita Architectural Draftsman I PAWB Janette Garcia Focal Person, SIBP PAWB Josefina de Leon Chief, Wildlife PAWB

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Name Position Organization/Address

Juvy Ladisla EMS II PAWB Lina Segunial EMS II PAWB

Lolita Anova EMS I PAWB Maritess Agayatin OIC, Community Assessment

Section PAWB

Marlyn Mendoza Chief, PACMAND PAWB Melody Ann Malano EMS 2 PAWB Mirasol Ocampo Forester 2 PAWB Nancy Corpuz Chief, Program Planning and

Monitoring Unit PAWB

Nelson Devanadera Assistant Director PAWB Norma Molinyawe OIC, BMD PAWB

Pablo delos Reyes EMS 2 PAWB Ryan Cuanan EMS 1 PAWB Teresita Blastique Chief, BMD Resources

Assessment Section PAWB

Floradema Eleazar Project Manager NewCAPP, PAWB Marita Cisneros M and E Specialist NewCAPP, PAWB Alma Navarro Planning Specialist NewCAPP, PAWB

Mary Ann Leones IEC Specialist NewCAPP, PAWB Theresa Espino-Yap Economist NewCAPP, PAWB Dreama Tolosa Finance Assistant NewCAPP, PAWB Ariel Erasga PA Specialist NewCAPP, PAWB Robert Cruz Administrative Assistant NewCAPP, PAWB Ericson Faeldan Administrative Assistant NewCAPP, PAWB Atty. Alton Durban Legal Consultant NewCAPP, PAWB Jose Cabanaya, Jr. Assistant Administrator NAMRIA Main Office Rebecca Aguda SFMS FMB Modesto Lagumbay SFMS FMB Jasper Lumagbas PAO DENR Michael Matina PAO DENR Linda Papa Dep. Administrator NAMRIA

National Government Agencies

Name Position Organization/Address

Alexis Lapiz SRSKS Climate Change Commission

Loretta Ann P. Rosales Chair Commission on Human Rights

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Anna Urmeneta Division Chief DILG-Planning and Programming Division

Agnes de Jesus Senior Vice-President Energy Development Corporation

Ms. Brigida Zenaida H. Pawid

Chairperson National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Conchita C. Calzado Commissioner-Region 3 and rest of Luzon

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Cosme M. Lambayon Commissioner-Northern and Western Mindanao

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Santos M. Unsad Commissioner-Central Mindanao National Commission on Indigenous Peoples

Roberto L. Almonte Regional Director NCIP-Region 4 Lee T. Arroyo Regional Director NCIP-Region 5 Alfonso B. Catolin Regional Director NCIP-Region 6 and 7

Woy Lim P. Wong Regional Director NCIP-Region 12 Mary Jane Magturo NEDA Sr. Economic Development

Specialist NEDA-Agriculture Staff

Jean Centeno NEDA Sr. Economic Development Specialist

NEDA-Agriculture Staff

Annielyn Rivera NEDA Economic Development Secialist

NEDA-Regional Development Coordination Staff

Janice Datu-Sanguyo NEDA Sr. Economic Development Specialist

NEDA-Social Development Staff

Ivy Libunao NEDA Economic Development Specialist

NEDA

Timothy Salomar PDO III OPAPP Ms. Remedios Rikken Chairperson Philippine Commission on

Women Marlon Valencia Committee Secretary House of Representative Emmanuel Regondol Section Chief YARWAT-WMD-NPC Atty. Jeanette Florita OIC-Legal Affairs Office NCIP Sherwin delos Santos Atty. III Climate Change

Commission Aurora M. Tolete B.O V NCIP

Marialuna Kileste LGOO DILG OPPS

Maribelle Duluan DMO NCIP-OSECS

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Local Government Units

Name Position Organization/Address

Alvidon Asis Environment Officer League of Cities of the Philippines

Eduard Awasen PB Barangay LGU, Mountain Province, CAR

Renato Sabado Municipal Tourism Officer Municipal Government of Pangantucan, Bukidnon

Hon. Gil Establicida Mayor Municipal Government of Burdeos, Polillo

Samson Tejada Municipal Tourism Officer Municipal Government of Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro

Gloria Bayaban PME Div. Chief PPDO Palawan Carlo Gonzales VIP Security Normzu Novio IP Affairs Officer LGU Sablayan Samuel Sardena MPPC LGU Paell Brian M. See Legislative Staff Office of Sen. Legarda

Nongovernmental Organizations

Name Position Organization/Address

Judymae Salubve Project Assistant for Mindanao

AnthroWatch

Maria Teresa Guia-Padilla Executive Director AnthroWatch Sabino Padilla, Jr. President AnthroWatch Maricel Tolentino Program Manager Food

Security Asian NGO Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ANGOC

Daniel Arias Sites of Struggle Officer Alyansa Tigil Mina Douglas Paganao Staff Concerned Citizens of Abra for

Good Government Susan Sabas Program Coordinator Concerned Citizens of Abra for

Good Government

Ronald Allan Altamirano Project Officer Fauna and Flora International, Philippine Office

Neil Aldrin Mallari Director Fauna and Flora International, Philippine Office

Miriam Azurin Advocacy Manager Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI)

Atty. Danny N. Valenzuela Chairperson/CEO Foundation for Philippine Environment

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Liza M. Vida National Program/MIPPEC Project Coordinator

Foundation for Philippine Environment

Maria Reinita Navarro MIPPEC Project Coordinator/ Mindanao Regional Coordinator

Foundation for Philippine Environment

Noel Resurreccion Mgr. Site Action Haribon Foundation, Inc. Erin Jan L. Sinogba Projects and Information

Officer, ILC International Land Coalition

Giovanni Reyes Secretary-General KASAPI

Manuel Rara Land Tenure Officer KASAPI Charleston Buking Jr. MIS Officer KASAPI Roselan D. Balite Research/Documentation KASAPI Grace Diamante Executive Director Mindoro Biodiversity

Conservation Foundation, Inc.

Denise Lagrosa Operations Manager Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.

Kyle Cielo Finance and Administrative Assistant

Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.

Kat Buenaflor Project Development Officer Mindoro Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.

Abigail Lois Aguilar Policy Advocacy Officer, Non Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Earl Paulo Diaz Knowledge Management Officer

Non Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Katherine Mana-Galido Resource Management Officer

Non Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Tanya Conlu Project Development Officer Non Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Atty. Edna Maguigad Policy Adviser Non Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia

Dave de Vera Executive Director PAFID Chanda Danque Admin/Finance Assistant PAFID Sam Pedragosa Glaiza Tabanao Researcher/Documentor PAFID Janice Siano Researcher PAFID Errol Gatumbato Managing Director Philippine Biodiversity

Conservation Foundation, Inc

Leah Jim Villanueva Programme Officer Polillo Island Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc

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Atty. Jose Canivel Executive Director Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation

Fel Ceasar Cadiz Pride Program Manager RARE Conservation Len Regpala CBD Team, Tebtebba Tebtebba Victoria Tauli-Corpuz Executive Director, Tebtebba Tebtebba Paul Saludar PD Officer World Wildlife Fund Nove Calawigan Site Specialist Haribon Foundation, Inc

Jaime Veneracion Board PAFID Dan Valenzuela CEO FPE Jaja Panlate Staff SENTRO Para sa Ganap na

Pamayanan Reggie Aquino Policy Adviser Officer CLUP Chris Villaflor Mla Staff Jessica Abing Production Assistant Julius Domingo Production Assistant

IP Delegates

Name

Position

Organization/Address

Alfredo Domogoy Datu Matricoso Apolonio Tumbangan President Buhita, Malaybalay City,

Bukidnon Bernardo Limikid Chairman LIMPONG Dalinao Sumbad S.H.B Datu Ampuan Sulda UMKE-Chair UMKE-Pangantucan, Bukidnon Domingo Lawagan Secretary Tubo, Abra Eduardo Banda Chairman KASAPI/MTCE

Elfranco Linsahay Community Leader Talaandig tribe Erlinda Malo-ay Chairperson Mamacila Apo Ginosakan

Higanon Tribal Council Inc. Eliseo Marundan Chairman LABATA-Chairman Elsa Dioayan BOP Tipon, Bangued, Abra Evie Bacalan Datu IPO Santiago Dr. Felipe Nasayao Tribal Chiefatin UMAMASTRICO Eduardo Awasen B-IGU Kankana-ey Fausto Nevolozo Punong Tribu AFTI Fermin Daculay UMKE Balmar, Pangantucan, Bukidnon Helen Pojaras PAFID CADT 135 Two Chairwoman Herbert Paganao Banao KASAPI Ireneo Rico Chairman PAGTUKUSAN

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Name

Position

Organization/Address

Isis Guilingan Chairman PSLP Titik, SIND, Z.N. Jeodoro Sulda UMKE-Chair UMKE-Pangantucan, Bukidnon

Johnny Guina Chairman PTA Portulin, Pangantucan, Bukidnon

Jose Macarial Chairman MPSCO-Zamboanga Sur Juanito Lumawig Chairman PASAKAMI Julieta Malangan Ex-O Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur Leslie Gumabay Banao (BOT) KASAPI Lito "Tubag"Jugatan Member LAKAS Liberato Gabin Tribal leader SINKA, San Vicente Pal. Lucenio Manda Timuay/ Bgy.Captain PGB, Bayog, Zamboanga Sur Maramie Diego ATSMT President KASAPI Nancy Tialang Chairwoman BTAI Narcisa Dalupines Chairman KATAPU/KASAPI Odelio Sawanga Tribal Leader Kalanawan Manolo Fortich Peter Insam Tribal Leader Duma P'lekuka Federation Poor Galubidan Tau-Buid Rio Besto Tribal leader MILALITTRA-Mharayon, Tal,

Bukidnon Rocky Valderama, Jr. BOD PFETAI-Maria Aurora, Aurora Rodino Domogoy Datu Matricoso-Surigao Roy Abella Board of Trustee TTLIA Salvador Dimain Chairman MAO Sammy Balinhawang Executive Officer Kalahan Educational Foundation Sannie Bello Timuay (chieftain) Timuay Governance Sannol Casim Representative MICCAI Sofronio Cabatuan Chairman Provincial Tribal Council Teresa Gaspar Vice-Chair KASAPI Victorino Saway Tribal Elder KASAPI Warnit Lumista Staff Buhita, Malaybalay City,

Bukidnon Mantangkilan Cumantang Datu Agmitticu-Bukidnon Benny Cumatang Tribal Leader Agmitticu-Bukidnon FA Pusong Bughaw Filmmaker Matang Araw Prod Regibernor Filmmaker Matang Araw Prod Datu Alimuwan Artist Kauyagan Napolcon Benedicto Tribal Governor Sagibin Ricardo Turgo Member Sagibin

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Academe

Name Position Organization/Address

Jane Austria-Young Development Researcher Institute of Philippine Culture, Ateneo de Manila University

Hon. Alfredo E. Pascual President, UP University of the Philippines Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III Vice President for Public

Affairs University of the Philippines

Dr. Raymundo D. Rovillos Dean UP Baguio College of Social Sciences

Prof. Nestor T. Castro, PhD Chair UP Department of Anthropology

Dr. Larainne Abad-Sarmiento Lecturer UP Department of Anthropology

Dr. Jimmy Veneracion Chair UP History, Diliman Dr. Edna Estifania A. Co Dean, UP UP NCPAG Prof. Erwin Alampay, PhD Associate Professor UP NCPAG Ponciano Bennagen Professor UP Victor Mariano Professor UP NCPAG Dr. Priscilla Dolom Researcher Faculty Development Center Vincent Silarde University Researcher UP NCPAG Core Cabanilla University Extension

Specialist UP NCPAG

Prof. Digna Apilado Associate Professor UP, CSSP, History Dept. Charlie Cabotaje University Researcher UP NCPAG Maricris delos Santos Univ. Research Associate UP NCPAG Lourdes Villar UP CLRG Portia Silang DPA Candidate UP NCPAG Prejean Prieto Researcher UP NCPAG Dr. Faina Diola Director UP NCPAG Sofronio Camacho UR III UPLB-CFNR Ma. Dolores Tongco Asst Prof UPD Biology Jayson Fajarda Researcher UP NCPAG Jose Tabbada Prof. Lecturer UP NCPAG Allan Sobrepeña URA II UP NCPAG Minerva Baylon College Secretary and

Director UP NCPAG

Heliza Ariola University Research Associate

UP NCPAG

Herisadel Flores Assistant Prof. UP NCPAG Celton Clyde, Saa RA UP IB Mai Taquebay Assistant Prof UP Diliman

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Name Position Organization/Address

Carlos Tatel Assistant Prof UP Diliman RJ Taburan Assistant Prof UP Diliman Mark AM Gamboa Faculty UP NCPAG Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor

Associate Professor UP Manila

Media

Name Position Organization/Address

Abraham Arboleda Photographer UP SIO L.A. Antonio Photographer Childhood Learners Inc.

Pops Encarnacion Managing Editor Makabayan Herald Cora Sempio Publisher Makabayan Herald Datu Alimuwan Artist Kauyagan Radio Abante Marya Salamat Writer Bulatlat.com Jerome Avanzado Media GMA 7 Kiko Flores Media DZBB

Proceedings of the First National Conference on ICCAs in the Philippines 131

Annex D – Convenors’ Profile

NewCAPP (PAWB-DENR, UNDP & GEF)

The New Conservation Areas in the Philippines Project (NewCAPP) is beingimplemented by the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Departmentof Environment and Natural Resources (PAWB-DENR), with the financialsupport from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), through the UnitedNations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to expand and diversifythe national system of protected areas in the Philippines by developing newgovernance models, capacity building and enhancement of financialsustainability of the system.

PAFID

The Philippine Association for Intercultural Development, Inc. (PAFID) is asocial development organization which has been assisting indigenouscommunities secure or recover traditional lands and water since 1967. Itforms institutional partnerships with indigenous communities to secureownership over ancestral domains and to shape government policy on IPissues.

KASAPI

The Koalisyon ng Katutubong Samahan ng Pilipinas (KASAPI) is a nationalfederation of different indigenous peoples organizations (IPOs) representing64 ethno-linguistic groups from 127 indigenous cultural communities in thePhilippines. It is a network of 16 regional and subregional federationscomprised of 120 community-based IPOs. It advocates for the recognitionof the rights of the IP to their ancestral domains, self-determination andcultural dignity.

UP-NCPAG

The National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG)has been pioneering leader of the discipline in the Philippines and Asia sinceits establishment as the Institute of Public Administration in 1952. Inperforming its three-fold function of instruction, research, and extensionservice, it has expanded its scope from governmental management to thebroader concerns of governance including the roels of the private sectorand civil society.

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UP-OVPPA

The Office of the Vice President for Public Affairs of the University of thePhilippines (OVPPA) is headed by Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III. The officemanages the university’s relations with both the general public and UP’salumni. Under the OVPPA, the UP System Information Office (UP SIO)maintains the university’s website, social media networks and regularlypublishes the monthlyUP Newsletter and bi-monthly UP Forum; while theOffice of Alumni Relations maintains UP alumni networks all over the worldand the online alumni newsletter, The Carillon.

The ICCA Consortium

The ICCA Consortium is an international association dedicated to promotingthe appropriate recognition of and support to Indigenous CommunityConserved Areas (ICCAs) in the regional, national and global arena. As aglobal institution, the Consortium is collaborating with the CBD Secretariat,GEF, SGP, UNEP-WCMC. IUCN, research and advocacy organizations,and UN mechanisms promoting human, indigenous people and localcommunity rights.

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REFERENCES

Balinhawang, Samuel. “ICCA in the Philippines: Types, Values and Objectives,”PowerPoint presentation, First National Conference on ICCA, Assembly Hall,NCPAG, UP Diliman, Quezon City, 29-30 March 2012;

Borrini-Feyerabend, G. (September 2008). Recognizing and supportingindigenous & community conservation: ideas & experiences from thegrassroots. CEESP Briefing Note (9), 1-28.

CENESTA, “Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Areas and Territories(ICCAs): A Bold Frontier for Conservation,” 2009, 16 April 2012, < http://www.iccaforum.org/>.

Convention on Biological Diversity, “Country Profile- Philippines,” undated, 16April 2012,<http://www.cbd.int/countries/profile.shtml?country=ph#thematic>.

Convention on Biological Diversity, “List of Parties,” undated, 16 April 2012, http://www.cbd.int/convention/parties/list/

Corrigan, C., and Granziera, A. 2010. A Handbook for the Indigenous andCommunity Conserved Areas Registry. UNEP-WCMC.

Dalupines, Narcisa. “Thematic Concerns on ICCAs: Consolidated Results ofthe Sub-National ICCA Conferences,” PowerPoint presentation, First NationalConference on ICCA, Assembly Hall, NCPAG bldg., UP Diliman, Quezon City,29-30 March 2012

Dudley, Nigel (editor).2008. Guidelines for Applying Protected Area ManagementCategories. Gland, Switzerland:IUCN.

Guarigata, Manuel.2011. Center for International Forest Research (CIFOR).

Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) OF 1997

IUCN. 2003. 5th World Parks Congress Recommendations. Durban, SouthAfrica.

Molina, Maria in the First National Conference on Indigenous CommunityConserved Areas (ICCA) in the Philippines, 30 March 2012, UP-NCPAG, QuezonCity, Philippines.

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Molnar, A., Scherr, S. and Khare. 2004. Who conserves the world’s forests:community driven strategies to protect forests and respect rights. Forest Trendsand Ecoagriculture Partners, Washington D.C.

Nelson, A. and Chomitz, K. (October 2009). Protected Area Effectiveness inReducing Tropical Deforestation: A Global Analysis of the Impact of ProtectionStatus. World Bank: Washington D.C.

New Conservation Areas in the Philippines (NewCAPP), Conference Backgroundand Rationale of the First National Conference on Indigenous Community andConserved Areas (ICCAs), Quezon City, 29-30 March 2012.

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), “Indigenous CommunityConserved Areas (ICCAs) Sub-National Conference for Luzon and IslandGroups,” Full Documentation, Legend Villas Hotel, Mandaluyong, Metro Manila,8-11 November 2011.

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (2010) GlobalBiodiversity Outlook 3. Montréal, 94 pages.

“Subnational Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA)Eastern Mindanao Group,” Full Documentation, Mergrande Ocean Resort,Talomo District, Davao City, 14-17 November 2011 and;

“Subnational Conference on Indigenous Community Conserved Areas (ICCA)Western Mindanao,” Full Documentation, Chali Beach Resort, BarangayCuguman, Cagayan de Oro City, 24-25November 2011.

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 15 September 2007.

www.iccaconsortium.org.