From March 17–20, 2026, the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development, Inc. team, in collaboration with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Provincial Office, successfully facilitated the formal formulation of the Community Conservation Plan (CCP) of the LABATA community.
This milestone was guided by the wisdom, customary governance, and collective leadership of the LABATA community elders and leaders, ensuring that the process remained community-driven and culturally grounded.
The CCP formulation process began with a comprehensive review and validation of the community’s Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives. This was followed by the clarification of ICCs/IPs roles and responsibilities in environmental protection and conservation, rooted in their Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP).
The community also identified and analyzed both internal and external threats affecting their ancestral domain, strengthening their capacity for informed decision-making and adaptive management. A presentation of the PEF Biodiversity and Carbon Stock Assessment Report provided a scientific basis that complemented traditional knowledge, reinforcing evidence-based conservation planning.
The process further included participatory strategic zonation and management planning, wherein the community delineated and agreed upon designated zones within their ancestral domain—such as strict protection zones (no-touch areas) and sustainable use or production zones for regulated farming and resource utilization.
This milestone reflects the community’s strong commitment to protecting and sustainably managing their ancestral domain for future generations.
