Only 15% Cordi lands alienable; folks push amendment to PD 705

By Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY – Only 15 percent of lands are alienable in the Cordillera as Presidential Decree 705 mandates that lands 75 degrees in slope are owned by the state.

With this, Cordillerans, particularly indigenous people cannot have their lands titled.

These were bared in a forum with private and public sectors in Cordillera with National Economic and Development Authority Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos here recently.

Both led a team from the National Planning Committee to gather inputs and recommendations for updating the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 midway through the President’s term,

NEDA is gathering feedback nationwide on the national development plan.

Cordillerans recommended proposals on infrastructure, environment, social development, indigenous peoples’ concerns, economic development and governance.
Abad Santos said issues and trends in the Philippines will be considered in updating the PDP.

He added this mid-term activity will determine how close the country is to achieving the targets set in the six-year development plan. 

Abad Santos explained AmBisyon Natin 2040, a government long-term program for the country based on a survey among 10,000 respondents, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
            Participants highlighted hindrances in development in the region such as limitation on developing lands with slopes over 18 degrees in slope.

They said PD 705 prohibits use of these lands as alienable and disposable.

In the Cordillera, this means only 15% of the total land area is alienable and disposable.
Representatives from social, economic, environmental and infrastructure sectors said this is a major hindrance to the region’s development.

Titles of ancestral lands that have been used for residential and agricultural purposes for generations thus remain on hold, it was known.

This also affects land use planning as most of the Cordillera is classified as forestland and not available to be developed for housing, industry, or economic zones.
Participants in the governance sector were also asked to study Cordilleran customary laws in mediation for consideration in the Plan.

While the PDP recognizes methods for alternative dispute resolution, participants suggested that alternative mediation mechanisms be strengthened through documentation and institutionalization of customary laws and practices.
            NEDA-CAR regional director Milagros Rimando said the role of the regional office of NEDA is to “bridge national government policies and programs with those of the region.”

She cited Cordillera’s unique situation in terms of geography and policy. As the most mountainous and only landlocked region, Cordillera is recognized as the watershed cradle of Northern Luzon.
Rimando also reiterated the constitutional mandate of achieving regional autonomy in the Cordillera.

According to the Cordillera Regional Development Plan 2017-2022, “Cordillera autonomy will allow the passage of laws that are better suited for the region, and will ensure that income generated from industries and services based in the region will flow back to CAR.” -- NEDA-SPCAR