The Department of Agriculture – Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project Regional Project Coordination Office 10 (DA-MIADP RPCO-10) conducted the second Stakeholders Coordination Meeting for CEBUKTA AD on February 10, 2025, at NMACLRC, Dalwangan, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The meeting aimed to present the findings from the recently conducted Joint Ground Truthing Activity (JGTA) last January 30-31, 2025.
Representatives from various agencies and organizations have participated, including the City Local Government Unit (CLGU) of Valencia City, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Protected Area Management Office (DENR-PAMO) of Mt. Kalatungan Range Natural Park led by Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) Roy Aguanta, the Community Environment and Natural Resources represented by Ms. Jo Victoria Kristy R. Cruz, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples – Region 10 (NCIP-10) led by OIC-Regional Director Fundador Binahon, and the Council of Elders of the Bukidnon Tribal Association Ancestral Domain (CEBUKTA AD) spearheaded by Datu Macario Loking, along with other Datus and Baes.
DA-MIADP RPCO-10 Deputy Project Director (DPD) Lana May S. Racines led the discussion, emphasizing the importance of the joint assessment to address existing and potential eligibility issues in the environmental aspect of the project based on the findings.
Development Facilitator (DF) Mitzi Coleen Estoesta presented the findings and identified the Potable Water System (PWS) as the key priority subproject. Water testing confirmed that the source met the required liters-per-second capacity, suggesting potential for development, though further studies are needed. DF Estoesta recommended that two identified water sources undergo additional technical assessments to determine long-term sustainability, potability, and capability.
GIS Officer Kim Testa highlighted that most of the AD’s area falls within the buffer zone of Mt. Kalatungan. Further, PASu Aguanta underscored the significance of the ground truthing activity in providing an accurate assessment of the area. He stressed the need for an Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) laboratory test to ensure water quality for potable use. The findings also identified the final location for the proposed warehouse facility sub-project. Other proposed sub-projects include an existing 1.7-kilometer Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) for concreting, and an agroforestry project. Aguanta emphasized that all infrastructure subprojects must be placed in open and safe zones due to restrictions in key biodiversity areas (KBA). Proper clearances and compliance with environmental regulations are mandatory, given that CEBUKTA AD is classified as an environmentally critical area.
DA-MIADP RPCO 10 Environment and Social Safeguards (ESS) Unit Head Gay Nanette Aleria emphasized the need for an assessment by MIADP’s ESS Unit before proceeding with any projects or full-scale feasibility studies.
NCIP 10 OIC-RD Fundador Binahon shared, “Salamat kaayo sa inyo mga suhestiyon sa kung unsa atong pwede mahatag na development sulod sa CEBUKTA AD. Ang sulod sa IPRA Law gibutang nga responsibilidad sa mga IPs ang mag-mintinar sa ecological balance o biodiversity, ug ang pag restore sa denuded areas. Dapat pud sundon ang balaod sa IPRA Law ug ang mga balaod sulod sa framework of national unity and development. Wala gibabagan ang pag sulod sa Protected Areas (PA) as long as parte kini sa ila customs and traditions. Gibuhat ang IPRA Law to emancipate the IPs sa kapubrihon, sa exploitation, hilabi na sa diskriminasyon.”
The findings will be presented to the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Kalatungan En Banc on February 13, 2025. DPD Racines reiterated that the project implementation must align with the existing policies of all relevant agencies, ensuring no environmental intrusion or disruption. The PAMB meeting is expected to resolve key issues for the community-proposed subprojects and will proceed once a clearance is granted. Further, DA-RFO 10 expressed its willingness to engage with the other banner programs to support the community.
𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘋𝘈-𝘔𝘐𝘈𝘋𝘗 𝘙𝘗𝘊𝘖 10’𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦, 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘦!
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