CAMMPACAMM is currently the sole Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) that is based in Rosario, Agusan del Sur. It stands for Cabantao, Maligaya, Marfil, Panintingan, Caulisihan, Maputi, Masabong Ancestral Manobo Tribal Association.
Daraghuyan Ancestral Domain, on the other hand, is the home to the 7th tribe in Northern Mindanao, the Bukidnon Tribe.
Both tribes are IPO partners of the DA-MIADP. MIADP is a six-year project of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that aims to sustainably increase agricultural productivity, resiliency, and access to markets and services of organized farmer and fisherfolk groups among the indigenous cultural communities/ indigenous peoples (ICCs/IPs) in selected Ancestral Domains (ADs) and for selected commodity value chains in Mindanao. It has four components Planning and Social Preparation, Agri-Fisheries Infrastructure, Agri-Fisheries Production and Enterprise Development, and Management and Support, Monitoring, and Evaluation.
As per the source, it is the Manobo tribe’s in Rosario to respect its Hawudon, who is trusted by their community. The decision is implemented for the good of all. The Hawudon is the head of the tribe and will stand for the welfare of the tribe and all its subjects. He is the guide of the good path of the tribe, settles the problems and conflicts of his subjects bet his among his fellow tribes. He enforces the laws and calls for a meeting of the tribe when there are activities to be done.
The Manobos recognize the abilities of their ancestors, or Manigaons, who are the ones who know more about the culture, ancestry, and wisdom of their indigenous tradition. Like Christians and other races, their parents are the ones they listen to, and they obey their orders and decisions. From the choice of their spouse to living with or interacting with the family, their husbands, and wives, the Manobos have many beliefs. They believe that with the way they live and everything they do, there are spirits that guide and affect their decisions. Magbaya who is their God is supreme and the Creator of everything because they believe that there is someone above us who is not human, but who owns and guards the treasures that can be seen around us, we observe and mark their actions and various other rituals (ADAIF, 2024).
Meanwhile, in Bukidnon’s Daraghuyan AD, the commonality in entrusting to the Guardian Spirits the governance of the community is manifested, too. Merly Suday, a tribal member says:
“Their choice is final. This makes the role deeply spiritual, requiring the chosen one to embrace not only the practical duties of leadership but also the guidance and wisdom of the spirits.”
These connections to the unseen world as believed by these IP communities add a layer of responsibility that goes beyond mere power, a practice that they will keep from this time on until the next generation.
Datu Owins Omarol is one of the youngest tribal leaders today of the Bukidnon Tribe. PHOTO: Merly Suday
Tribal leaders of Bukidnon join street dancing of Kaamulan Festival, 2024. PHOTO: MIADP X FB
MIADP Launching, Region XIII-CARAGA. DA-MIADP Region XIII holds a Regional Launch at the Grand Palace Hotel in Butuan City on Monday, May 20, 2024. Highlights of the launch included the signing of the Pledge of Commitment, messages of support from various stakeholders, and a ceremonial Manobo ritual held at the DA-Caraga Regional Office.
CAMMPACAMM staff and the RPCO XIII after the presentation of the ADAIF at the Sangguniang Bayan, September 23, 2024.
