Securing territory: Dumagat-Remontado youth against land grabbing 

The issue of land grabbing from greedy capitalists has a widespread impact on the environment, society and the peace within local Indigenous communities across the Philippines. Where I live, alongside the rest of my team at UBGON, in Quezon Province, is not spared from this sad truth. 

Over thirty Indigenous communities are home to the town of General Nakar, and there, the call for land security against grabbers remains strong. 

The forms of land issues, the destructive activities like constructions of mega dams and tourism without Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and those individuals that want to force the indigenous peoples out of their communities because they want the land sources, may differ from one another, but the goal is the same: to avoid being displaced from their ancestral land. However, with the continued courage and persistence of traditional elders and community leaders, it’s only right that this fight is understood not only as a current struggle, but as a lifelong battle.

Brave actions from Dumagat-Remontado youth

UGBON, considered the first organized group of Indigenous youth from Quezon and Aurora provinces in the Sierra Madre, is eager to fight for their ancestral lands. Our people grow up shaped by our communities, where ancestral land is our identity. The younger generations are the next expected leaders who will defend the land they grew up in.

Protecting our territory, our ancestral land, is rooted in the forest. This became the foundation of our project: “Putok Pati Kew Project.” Through this project, we plant native trees along the borders of our territories and restore gaps to create healthy mountain ecosystems. 

This land has long been under the care of the Indigenous People.

The project operates in three locations, all of which are Indigenous communities currently facing threats to land security: Maksa, Dinigman and Makid-ata.

In Maksa, there’s a history of a long-standing issue of being denied access to basic services like electricity due to complicated land titles overlapping their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). 

In Dinigman, the community is facing a similar problem and is currently involved in a legal case, defending their land from greedy land grabbers from the same Barangay where the community is located. 

Last but not least, Makid-ata is the most controversial, where even internal relationships among Indigenous People are being affected. A massive government project is trying to take over approximately 300 hectares of forest, sacred grounds, livelihoods and communities. And their objective is to build a massive dam solely for the monopoly and huge profits of capitalists, particularly through their control over the water supply in the capital of the country and nearby provinces so that the public will see it as a necessary basic service and a right that everyone should receive. Because of this, communities and support groups continue to carry out both legal and extra-legal activities in response, despite the government’s strong push for the project and its apparent disregard for the concerns of indigenous peoples and local communities.

Because of this, UGBON is firmly committed to fighting back, believing it will make a significant contribution to our future. The trees we plant will serve not just as physical territorial boundaries, but as community symbols of resistance and protection.

UGBON is supported by our elders

Although there are differing perspectives among our elders, with some being influenced by deceptive development projects, there is overwhelming support from steadfast elder leaders who continue to defend ancestral land and uphold UGBON’s initiative. They contribute vital knowledge, from sharing the cultural and traditional significance of each native tree, to the proper ways of caring for them and planting them in ways that benefit the community.

The Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP)

As our project continues, community leaders continue emphasizing the importance of implementing the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) within ancestral territories. Under the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 (Republic Act 8371), the ADSDPP should be a recognized and necessary plan to ensure sustainable and culturally appropriate development as well as to protect ancestral domains from exploitation or harmful projects. 

Some of our elders were involved in creating this plan and with it, advocate against development projects that jeopardize the welfare of our communities. 

Its comprehensiveness, inclusiveness and carefully-considered approaches are crucial in avoiding complications when unforeseen situations arise that could disrupt peace and relationships among communities. That is why, the youth really need to be involved in the current process of formulation of this plan.

For this reason, the elders are also requesting that the goals of the Putok Pati Kew project, which aim to protect ancestral lands, will be aligned with and supported by the ADSDPP. The Indigenous youth are seen by communities as the hope for the next generation.

“We, the Indigenous People, when our way of life is far from or separated from the forest, can no longer say that we are Indigenous, because our lives are connected with it,” said Conchita Calzado. 

“That’s why it’s really important to safeguard the protection of the entire context of the ADSDPP for the conservation of our ancestral land.”

Where are we now?

Today, the native trees are still in the period of preparation by growing in the nurseries before being planted, to symbolize a strong community in the making. Each tree has its classification, some recognized as traditional boundary markers of territories such as Malaruhat, Katmon, Narra, Dalingdingan, Kilawi at Bitukulin. UGBON continues to work within each of these three communities to care for the trees, because to us, this initiative plays a significant role in securing our territory in the future.

The planting of these trees is expected to be completed along the mapped borders of each community from the last months of 2025 through the early weeks of 2026.

At the heart of these efforts lies the invaluable guidance of mentors, individuals of integrity and compassion, who accompany and support us throughout the entire process.Their unwavering encouragement provides the necessary drive behind each action and decision, all of which demand firm commitment. 

We extend our deep appreciation to Kuya Javie Barcinal and Ate Amor Paredes, whose steadfast support affirms that Indigenous youth have a voice. Their advice reminds us that each timely and critical step we collectively take reflects not only unity but also the growing urgency of environmental stewardship and the advancement of Indigenous communities.

Indeed, every detail matters, especially when it involves the preservation of nature and the uplifting of Indigenous voices across generations.