THE MANOBO PROJECT

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INDIGENOUS FILIPINO PEOPLE RECLAIM THEIR ANCESTRAL LANDS AND THRIVE On the southern Philippines Island of Mindanao, the ancestral homeland of the Manobo Tribe, remarkable agricultural, ecological, economic, and environmental progress is occurring. Several years ago, the Manobo Tribe was recipient of sponsorship funds from multiple investors to restore lands damaged from illegal logging practices. The Manobo Tribe, with assistance from investors and consultants, are transforming their reclaimed ancestral lands into a self-sufficient community with an economic base. They have turned an impoverished, near-famine level area into a profitable agricultural and silvicultural (tree farming) production zone. They have also constructed a school, community centre, and church. The area continues to grow and thrive. PROJECT HISTORY The Philippine government never officially recognised the Manobo Tribe. As a result, the Tribe did not have the legal standing to claim their ancestral lands. Indiscriminate logging destroyed the land, and there was nothing the Manobo Tribe could do to prevent the ongoing destruction. In 1998, a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CDAC) was signed to allow the Manobo Tribe access to natural resources for economic gain. The CDAC was only a symbolic victory. The Tribe was not given rights to utilise local resources and had to apply for land allocation rights.

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The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) saw the need for a tenure instrument which is a land allocation permit and management system. The tenure is valid for 25 years and renewable for an additional 25 years. The DENR issues various permits, depending on the how the land will be utilised, all of which require a formal process to obtain. THE FIVE ALLOCATION ARRANGEMENTS ARE: 1. Allocation to communities Management Agreements); (such as Community-based Forest

2. Allocation to private sector (such as Industrialised Forest Management Agreement); 3. Allocation to agreements); local governments (such as co-management

4. Allocation to address needs for public good (such as watershed reservations, biodiversity reserves, other protected areas); and 5. Allocation to other government agencies (such as civil/ military reservations, land grants to state colleges/ universities/government corporations, academic research agreements). Source: Allocating Forest Lands, DENR In 2010, after much litigation, the Manobo Tribe was formally allowed to control and use the resources on their ancestral lands in the Province of Mindanao. Investors and sponsors recognised the opportunity and provided the Manobo Tribe with financial assistance. The Manobo Project has the potential to be an economic success for all the stakeholders.

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Also, money generated from carbon offsets programs can provide a long-term source of income for the Manobo Tribe to fund the existing projects and to create new opportunities. PROJECT STATISTICS Manobo Tribe ancestral lands in the Province of Mindanao, Philippines, quantified: Governing Body: Traditional Chief system Population: ~ 250,000 Languages: languages Numerous Austronesian (Malyao-Polynesian)

Size: 187,000 ha (~ 722 sq. mi.) Pristine rainforest: 40% of total area; 74,800 ha (~ 289 sq. mi.) Cleared land (agriculture and logging): 60% of total area; 112,200 ha (~ 433 sq. mi.) Forests: 4 zones 1. Natural 2. Secondary 3. Degraded 4. Severely degraded Nurseries: 15 ha area for seedlings production and stock Waterfalls: 14; for clean drinking water and agricultural irrigation Crops: sweet sorghum, rice, and vegetables (eggplant, tomato, cabbage, mustard, string beans, ochre, and squash) Daily Tribal income: 10,000 pesos ($200) (2010) Projected employment: 4,000 6,000 long-term employees Sources: Sustainable Conservation and Options and Choices

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PROJECT DIVERSITY The Manobo Project is still in its infancy, yet it has thriving sustainable agricultural and silvicultural industries. Cash, energy, and food crops have become an economic boon for the Manobo Tribe. The nursery and agricultural areas are producing food for the inhabitants and the excess rice production is a cash crop. Sustainable forestry and logging practices will result in future successes. Sustainable logging is cyclical, where trees are harvested, and seedlings are planted. Silviculture requires responsible sustainability management practices for long-term economic rewards. Dedicated logging management zones help to ensure stability and prevent deforestation. EMPLOYMENT AND REVENUE The projected workforce is expected to consist of 4,000 employees for long-term and sustainable employment. Approximately 140,000 ha are planned for ecosystem and watershed conservation. The initial conservation of 40,000 ha expected to between $150 -$200M in investment funds, with $6M of capital per year over a 30-year period. PROJECT SUCCESS AND OUTLOOK Within a few years, the Manobo Tribe has been able to transform a partially devastated landscape into a well -managed and prosperous operation. The Manobo Project is expected to be commercially self-

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sufficient by 2012 or 2013. It is expected that the area will provide 700,000 tonnes (metric tons) of Carbon Credit offsets annually. It is also expected the area will provide 10,000 20,000 Nutrient and Water Credits annually. Other nearby indigenous peoples applauded the success of the Manobo Project and are interested in a similar strategy for utilising their lands.