Lianga, Surigao Del Sur – As the government’s agent of peace and development, the 3rd Special Forces “Arrowhead” Battalion (3SFBn) ensured the peaceful conduct of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) processing orientation, which was spearheaded by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) from June 1-12, 2021. The beneficiaries of the said activity are the Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC)/Indigenous People (IP) of the Municipalities of Lianga, San Agustin, and Marihatag all of Surigao del Sur.
The 12-day CADT processing orientation was conducted in the sitios of Brgy. San Isidro, Brgy. St. Christine, Brgy. Diatagon, Brgy. Banahaw, Brgy. Ganayon, and Brgy. Manyayay, Municipality of Lianga; sitios of Brgy. Buatong, Brgy. Gata, Brgy. Buhisan, Brgy. Kauswagan, Brgy. Salvacion, and Brgy. Janipaan, Municipality of San Agustin; sitios of Brgy. Mahaba, Brgy. San Isidro, Brgy. San Pedro, and Brgy. Mararag, Municipality of Marihatag all of Surigao del Sur.
The direct CADT application of the IP Communities in said municipalities was impeded due to insurgency situation. The Communist Terrorist Groups in the area opposed the development of these communities. Despite the prevailing situation, the Indigenous Cultural Communities /Indigenous People (ICC/IP) steadfastly continued to continue the project and as a result, the Office of Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR)-IMPRAMTO granted and funded the project that will be facilitated by the NCIP.
Lt. Col. Benedict Harvey L. Gernale, Commanding Officer of 3SFBn expressed his gratitude to the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on their sincere efforts to alleviate the living condition of the IP Communities in the area. He further added that the said convergence will pave the way in attaining a lasting peace and insurgency free Surigao del Sur.
