Five Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities in Caraga Region have been selected as priority areas under the PHP6.625-billion Mindanao Inclusive Agriculture Development Project (MIADP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA), aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and improving market access for IPs.
DA-13 Regional Technical Director for Operations Rebecca Atega said during a press conference on Monday that the project seeks to “sustainably increase agricultural productivity, enhance the resilience of IP farming systems, and improve their access to crucial markets and support services.” The initiative covers five CADTs (Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles) spanning over 129,000 hectares, benefiting around 47,000 Manobo and Mamanwa tribe members.
The targeted areas are CADT 078 in Rosario, Agusan del Sur; CADT 254 covering Mainit, Malimono, San Francisco, Sison, and Surigao del Norte; CADT 256 in Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte; CADT 136 in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur; and CADT 116 in San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.
Launched in 2023, MIADP is a collaboration among the DA, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and local government units. Atega noted that CADT 078 already has PHP147 million worth of projects focused on strengthening coconut farming enterprises. CADT 254 and CADT 256 have also endorsed their Ancestral Domain Agricultural Implementation Frameworks (ADAIFs) for project investments. The remaining CADTs are finalizing their ADAIFs for MIADP support this year.
The program’s funding includes PHP5.30 billion in World Bank loan proceeds, PHP863 million from the DA, and PHP461 million from local governments. Atega emphasized that the project will help IP communities build resilience against climate change while enhancing economic opportunities.
