Sustainable Integrated Development Program for Dumagat-Remontado Ancestral Domain

In 2019, the leaders of the Dumagat-Remontados of Antipolo, through an official letter addressed to the Chairman of Rublou, Luizo Ticman, with full trust and confidence (due primarily to their pleasant relationship with Rublou) formally requested for help in developing their whole/entire ancestral domain to create opportunities that will help uplift their lives, and protect the environment as well. On November 15, 2020, through a General Assembly attended by the seven (7) tribes of the Dumagat-Remontados, a Sustainable Integrated Development Plan (SIDP) was presented by Rublou which was accepted and approved by the elders, the tribal Chieftains and Kamalan, and the Kaksaan. It is now for consideration of the NCIP or the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the government agency responsible for protecting the rights of the Indigenous Peoples. This SIDP matters to these Indigenous Peoples as it empowers them over the ownership of their ancestral lands. Above anything else, this will create stable source of livelihood for the more or less 800 Dumagat families in Antipolo and Pinugay Baras. Not only are they able to put food on their tables every day, but this gives them the chance to send their children to school and improve their lives, a dream of every Dumagat. Alongside shall be sustainable protection and conservation of their land which they call home, as well as the environment, protected areas and watershed.