The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) has approved the application for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) covering the ancestral lands of the Bukidnon-Magahat Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in parts of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 2, the NCIP 10th Commission announced that it granted approval during its meeting on May 27, 2026.
The approved CADT covers 9,391.3056 hectares, including the barangays of Cabatuanan, Maglinao, and Linantayan, as well as portions of Bongalonan, Nagbo-alao, Cabalayongan, Bal-os, Olandao, and Actin in Basay, Negros Oriental. It also includes parts of Barangays Culipapa and Damutan in Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental.
According to the NCIP, the ancestral domain application was first filed in 2005. The approval came after more than two decades of processing and validation.
The commission said the approval resulted from the collective action of its members, with Commissioner Alex Centena sponsoring the motion for approval, which was supported by fellow commissioners Atty. Rhodex Valenciano, Marie Grace Pascua, Purisimo Tiam, Datu Amarillo Marcelo Alejo Jr., and Atty. Alberto Lagamon.
The NCIP said the CADT formally recognizes the ancestral domain rights of the Bukidnon-Magahat community and affirms their historical and cultural ties to the land.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a blog on Medium.