The
mapping of ancestral domains of indigenous peoples in
the Philippines is carried out by a number of NGOs including
among others the
Philippine
Association for Intercultural Development (PAFID), the
Mangian Foundation, AntroWatch. The method combines various
spatial information technologies and methods including Global
Positioning Systems,
Participatory 3-D Modeling (P3DM) and
Geographic
Information Systems (GIS). The integrated application of
these ICTools has
supported communication between Indigenous Communities and
Government Institutions and the securing ancestral tenure
rights over land and water. The
IPRA (Indigenous Peoples Rights Act) has provided the
legal enabling environment.
The mapping and determination of the ancestral
domains is based on a highly participatory mapping process,
which consists of on-ground surveys utilizing both traditional
methods and state-of-the-art technology such as the
Global Positioning System
(GPS) to ensure the accuracy of the gathered data and to
minimize costs. The mapping process also involves the
manufacture
of 3-D models of the
ancestral domains by community members, enabling them to
easily grasp the basic concepts of spatial, biophysical
analysis in determining the current resource base and
boundaries of their ancestral domains.
In the context of self-determination, P3DM has
been used (in combination with GPS and GIS) for the following
purposes:
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Generating spatial geo-referenced data based
on Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) on land use, vegetation cover,
resource distribution, traditional tenure, etc; |
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Gathering and documenting evidence to support
applications for Certificates of Ancestral Domain Claims and
Certificates of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADT) |
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Storing and displaying such data at community level; |
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Enabling communities in detailed and
convincing ancestral domain management plans;
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Conducting preliminary ancestral domain's boundary delineation;
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Substantiating negotiations and public hearings; |
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Addressing
boundary
conflicts |
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Introducing visitors to the area. |
