Helping indigenous peoples protect their forest resources

BY HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Thecountry is fast losing its forest resources. Most of these remaining forests can be found in the remote upland areas, forest reserves and watersheds, and those identified as parts of ancestral domain.

Although there are now existing laws that protect these remaining forests, they are still being denuded. They are not spared from illegal loggers, unscrupulous businessmen, and corrupt government officials.

Fortunately, indigenous peoples (IPs) – those distinct social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live – are trying to protect what the government has recognized as rightfully belonging to them.

In Davao Oriental, there are some concerned institutions trying to help IPs in the province in protecting their lands. One of these is the BaiAni Foundation and Kennemer Eco Solu- tion, which have expressed strong support for the Provincial Tribal Council-Mandaya and Kagan Cultural group of the province in their role as stewards of their ancestral lands.

“The indigenous communities in the area, recognized as stewards of the land, are responsible for maintaining ecological balance and restoring denuded areas,” said a press release obtained by Edge Davao. “However, they have not yet achieved full self-determination due to complex reasons.”

The groups came to the conclusion that “empowering these communities for effective forest landscape governance systems is essential to increase control, surveil- lance, and enforcement over ancestral domain areas.”

Deforestation and forest degradation in the forest lands and wetlands in Davao Oriental continues to persist unabatedly, the press release said.

Citing data from the Global Forest Watch, it said the province lost 51.5 hectares of forest cover from 2000 to 2021. Theforest loss is equivalent to an 11% decrease in tree cover since 2000. It also meant contributing 33.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

“Forest clearing for agricultural expansion and timber poaching is prominent amongst the upland communities,” the press release pointed out. “Human settlements and indiscriminate harvesting of resources are also active in the province due to the growing population.”

To safeguard the forests, particularly those part in ancestral domain, for being denuded further, the BaiAni Foundation and Kennemer Eco Solu- tion believed the ancestral lands can be protected through the establishment and operationalization of a viable forest guarding system, with full support from various local entities.

To initiate this effort, a two-day training and workshop for aspiring forest protectors was conducted on May 15-16. The program focused on educating and familiarizing 20 pre-selected forest guards from the recipients of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) from Mati City and the municipality of Tarragona. They were oriented about their roles and responsibilities and learned basic environmental laws.

According to the press release, the program aimed to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge before they officially assume their duties.

The program consisted of several phases, starting with the identification and selection of IPs who would undergo the training. Expert trainers FHELPING, P10

Notice Of Water Service Interruption In Some Bago Aplaya Areas

MAY 27, 2023

Davao City Water District advises the public of a water service interruption on May 27, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Gulfview Executive Homes and Versari Village in Bago Aplaya.

Water supply has to be temporarily shut off in the affected areas to give way to the installation of valves and tapping of a newly laid pipeline to DCWD’s existing pipeline along Tablas Street in Gulfview Executive Homes. This project is among DCWD’s strategies to improve water supply of the affected areas and to reduce non-revenue water or water loss.

The DCWD management asks for the understanding and cooperation of would-be-affected customers and advises them to store enough water prior to the schedule. Water supply may be restored

‘EVIL’... FROM 2

ed war is ending. The guerrilla warfare tactic is no longer working for them to be able to breathe life into a dying movement. The stench of its doom and imminent demise is repulsive, but something that we anticipate with most profound excitement,” she said.

In her message, she also recalled the city government of Davao’s efforts when she was Davao City’s mayor in eradicating the rebel group’s presence in the Paquibato District through Peace 911.

Launched in 2019, Peace 911, a civilian-led program, empowers the people of Paquibato through projects and programs that offered them the opportunity to become productive, provided them with livelihood, made them discover new skills, capacitated women, and built their confidence as individuals and as a community.

“Our story in Paquibato District is one for the books. It is a shining example of a successful anti-terrorism campaign made possible by the collaboration of various sectors through the program Peace 911 by the local government of Davao,” Duterte said.

Peace 911 ushered in the development of the Paquibato District while addressing the fundamental issue of poverty.

“Lest we forget, this terrorist group leeches on the people’s condition of poverty, feeding on their

CDRRMO... FROM 2

mga isolated rain showers from moderate and heavy rainfall ( We are informing everyone. We have issued advisories to our barangays, especially those in the coastal areas. The tropical depression is on the high seas so there is a tendency that there will be big waves. We also give advisories in advance for those who are in the coastline areas, not only coastlines but also in the flood-prone areas because we will expect that this will bring thunderstorms, it will bring isolated rain showers from moderate to heavy rainfall),” Baloran said.

He said that they advised the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils earlier if work goes smoothly or later if unforeseen problems arise.

DCWD conducts flushing after service works are completed. However, once water is restored, customers are advised to open all faucets and allow water to run for at least two minutes. While doing this, do not drink tap water immediately. Water may be boiled as an additional safety precaution.

For the latest water service updates or any DCWD-related concerns, the general public may contact DCWD’s 24-hour call center telephone hotlines at 235-3293 and 244-6767, text support at 0927798-8966, 0925-511-3293, or 0908441-0653, and chat support in the DCWD’s website (www.davao- water.gov.ph) or Facebook page (www. facebook.com/officialDCWD). (Kurt

Ryan M. Dominguez)