IFSU helps solve Ifugao boundary tiffs through ‘hidit’ indigenous way

LAGAWE, Ifugao – Three barangays of this capital recently resolved their long-standing boundary disputes through the hidit, an indigenous practice of reconciling boundary conflicts.

                Before the traditional amicable settlement, the three barangays of Dulao; Olilicon and Tupaya all claimed a total of 291 hectares of land in their jurisdiction.

The local government of Lagawe through its Sangguniang Bayan created a task force to mediate the boundary dispute.

The Ifugao State University through the Ifugao Rice Terraces-Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Center represented by its director Eulalie D. Dulnuan was among the selected jury to assist in the boundary conflict reconciliation of the three barangays.

On Jan. 31, the three barangays agreed to perform the hidit and culmination of the amicable settlement hosted by Barangay Tupaya.

The occasion was attended by the three barangays, local government of Lagawe officials, IFSU and stakeholders.

“IFSU is honored to be one of the selected juries in this historic case. Our participation in this kind of conflict reconciliation is one of our functions as a university to extend services in our communities,” said Dulnuan.

                She added, “The amicable settlement of the three barangays to resolve boundary disputes through hidit is commendable. With this development, it reminds us that there are indigenous knowledge and practices that we can maximize to have just and fair decisions for all parties involved. IFSU will use this example in its IKSP subjects to promote the importance of indigenous knowledge and practice in resolving boundary disputes.”