After 21 years of legal battles and bureaucratic delays, the Teduray and Lambangian indigenous communities have secured formal recognition of their ancestral land rights through a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covering 117,101 hectares in Mindanao.
The title was turned over on October 22, 2026, in Upi, Maguindanao del Norte, led by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson Nancy Catamco, together with tribal leaders and local officials.
The ancestral domain spans 11 separate parcels across Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Sultan Kudarat. The milestone was marked by the traditional “Tulak Këgëforor” ritual in South Upi, where most members of the communities live.
A 21-Year Fight for Recognition
The formal claim began on August 26, 2005, when the Teduray, Lambangian, and Dulangan Manobo Ancestral Domain Conference filed a petition seeking recognition and a CADT.
Originally covering around 201,850 hectares, the claim faced years of delays due to administrative issues, overlapping jurisdictions, and legal complications involving national laws and the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Cooperation among the NCIP, the Bangsamoro Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA), local governments, and civil society groups eventually helped reconcile overlapping boundaries and advance the process.
Protecting the Land Beyond the Title
With the CADT issued, tribal leaders are now focused on preventing unauthorized land sales, protecting boundaries, and organizing communities across the 11 parcels.
Timuay Alim Bandara, the claim's head representative, said the title gives communities a legal basis to hold violators accountable. He also called for stronger local governance through the Timuay Justice and Governance structure.
Bandara plans to seek increased funding for MIPA to support ancestral domain development. Existing mechanisms, including the Fusaka Inged Development Office and the Reservation and Arbitration Board, are expected to help address development concerns and land disputes.
NCIP Chairperson Catamco stressed that indigenous peoples' rights must also be protected when development projects are proposed. She highlighted Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the Exercise of Priority Rights (EPR) as safeguards for indigenous communities' right to self-determination.
Leaders Urge Unity for Future Generations
MIPA Minister Guiamal “Teng” Campong said his office would coordinate with the NCIP and lawmakers to strengthen legal protections for the ancestral domain.
South Upi Mayor Helen Benito-Padua urged community members to remain united and resist selling their ancestral lands for short-term financial gain.
Bandara dedicated the achievement to younger Teduray and Lambangian generations, who will carry the responsibility of protecting their ancestral land and preserving their heritage for the future.
