Sagada demands recognition and documentation of customary land laws.

By ALMA B. SINUMLAG, http://www.nordis.net
May 27, 2012

BAGUIO CITY — Due to the threat of the state’s land-related policies on the traditional concept of land ownership in the municipality of Sagada, Mt Province, a forum-workshop was held entitled “Empowering indigenous peoples on traditional customary institutions” on May 8 this year. It was also a way of re-learning from the community’s experiences of asserting their customary laws on land ownership and settling disputes.

Various cases were raised regarding land conflict caused by the threat of state policies on customary land ownership. One of the cases was the encroachment of the Church property to peoples’ communal and residential territories. The elders narrated that prior to the arrival of American Missionaries, the area which is now included as the church property is owned by the Dap-ay Tudey and Dap-ay Ato. Elders of Tudey and Ato, Ayyawan and Dalip-o donated the area to the church. However, the elders added that the church applied for tax declaration, including their expansion area.

In 2011, the people had been asking the church to stop encroaching into their territory. Instead, the church filed a civil case to the court against those who have built small stalls into what they declared as their (church) property. As of press time, the case is still pending in court.

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