Gender-based roles: Women in-charge of family and farm

As observed in the community, most women are left to be in-charge of their homes and tend their farms
from sowing to harvesting. Women start their day early to prepare for their children’s needs, give out
instructions for the day, and then head out to the farm to work. Many of the women have stated that the
reason why they are the left in-charge of their homes, and farm is because their husbands seek
higher-earning jobs elsewhere. These job opportunities are typically found in bigger municipalities or
cities. In the community, most of the able men or husbands are part of the Citizen Armed Force
Geographical Unit (CAFGU) since it does not need for the men to go farther places, ensures their safety
and security, and pays more.

According to many of the women (97%), they are the primary conserver or protector of the
environment. Mainly because of the scope of their work, and their other responsibilities which is evident
in their leadership in family environmental projects such as tree planting, and gardening.Several other
women have reported that they also lead their respective families in environmental projects such as tree
plantings, and gardening. As one respondent stated, it is important that the children learn by example
from their parents (Anon, 2019).

Women have more responsibilities (Part 6)

Women have more responsibilities especially in terms of child-rearing, early education, household
management, food acquisition, and food preparation. They pay close attention to their children’s needs.
These needs include physical and emotional needs especially during early childhood. It was also noted in
the community that many of the children tend to approach their mothers first before their fathers if they
need something. According to the women, it was always the woman’s responsibility to take more care of
their children from childbirth up to early adulthood. Additionally, women are also responsible for
teaching their children basic knowledge on plants, animals, beliefs, and customs as they are often times
the ones left at home (Anon, 2019). Eighteen out of 25 women have stated that women are the ones
who collect medicinal plants in contrast with their male counterparts.

As stated by 85% of the respondents, women are more concerned, and involved in managing the
household and its resources. Resources such as food, and water are made sure to be maximized to cover
more days. In terms of food acquisition, and preparation, women are expected to be responsible for it.
They make sure to have prepared food for their families during meal times.

Despite women having more responsibilities than men, there is no clear gender gap, and gender
discrimination in the community. According to the interviewees, men, in their spare time, help the
women with their responsibilities. Likewise, with women, they also help men with their responsibilities
in their spare time.

*insert more from interviews*

Traditional leaders as gatekeepers and decision makers

To them, both men and women are equal. Women have the same rights as men, they also have a voice
in their respective families, and in the community. However, both sexes admit that women have more
responsibilities than men especially when it comes to child-rearing, and household management. The
problem lies in the hierarchy of the tribe. Members of the tribe have stated that only those who are in
position, the Datus and Baes, have a say in the community, while mere members or constituents are not
heard. Opinions, and decisions are only made by the tribal leaders. According to some members, their
suggestions for the improvement of the tribe, and concerns for the environment are often unheard. This
has demoralized most of the members to participate in tribal discussions. A divide between tribal
chieftains and members is also noticeable. The members mingle with other members, and the leaders
mingle mostly with their co-leaders, and relatives.

There is also a dissonance among the tribesmen especially in terms of cutting trees, and hunting wildlife.
Many of the members of the tribe are aware that cutting of native, hardwood, important trees are illegal
and would require the necessary permits.

Dissonance (knowledge and perspective)

Cutting of trees and hunting of wildlife. There is also an incongruence among the members of the tribe.
Most members or constituents are aware that cutting of native, important(?) trees are illegal and would
require the necessary permits, however some of their chieftains nonchalantly cuts native trees, and hunt
animals.

Pure-blooded and Kulibugans

They compare themselves to other tribes and claim that they are still a “pure” community in terms of
practices and beliefs. They also tend to look down on other tribesmen who married someone from
another tribe calling them “half-bloods”; and those who have different beliefs.

Salinlahi: Efforts to pass on culture/tradition to successors

The community is now heavily with external factors that the elders of the tribe find it difficult to pass on
cultural and traditional practices to younger generations. Due to the differences in terms of hilig,
additionally, younger generations are somehow uninterested with the ways of the tribe

IPRA and Ancestral Domain Issues

Sitio Limunsudan is still a disputed territory by Iligan City, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur. Locals do all their
might to protect and preserve their area, but since there is no AD title yet, they cannot fully protect the
area. This is because other people/groups will question their claim because don’t have “proof” that it is
part of their AD. According to the locals, they have the right to protect, but people don’t listen. The lack
of concrete AD title, and boundaries prompt other groups/people to exploit the natural resources found
in the area. As reported by the locals, portions of the forestland in the area has been cleared out.

Grievances towards Maranaos

Intermingling of indigenous groups is unavoidable as Sitio Limunsudan is bounded by the province of
Bukidnon, and Lanao del Sur. So far, there are 3 groups residing in Liminsudan, the Higaonons, Manobos,
and Maranos. However, there is hostility from the higaonons and manobos towards the maranaos
because of their cultural differences. Locals reported that most deforestation efforts come from the
maranaos, stating that part of their forest AD has been cleared out. They cut trees and hunt wildlife
without informing/consulting or asking permission from the dominating tribe. The maranaos also do not
respect their cultural practices/beliefs especially in terms of forest and its uses.

Modernization

Modernization have brought both harm and good to them. They are pleased that their area is more
accessible now compared before, but a big chunk of flora was cleared out to accommodate construction.
Modernization is also a threat in the transmission of their cultural and traditional practices to younger
generations.

Farming practices

Their agricultural practices are not that inclined to their traditional ways as they are now using
insecticides, pesticides, and fertilizers. In contrast to their traditional practices which do not use the
mentioned chemicals. They rarely follow fallow farming/shifting cultivation to have a higher yield, and to
accommodate market demand. Some of the locals admit that the quality of their soil is not as good as
before.

Western medicine influence

Most of the community rely on western medicine for their illnesses. They still use herbal medicines, but
if given the opportunity, they would opt for western medicines. These medicines range from vaccines, to
hypertension treatments. Some of them even have antibiotics for sale in their sari-sari stores

Logging has affected the livelihood/living condition of the community

Majority of the community depends on the forest for their livelihood and living condition. Pests
frequently attack their farm lots. Some reported there were times when strong rains hit, their farm lots
get “patag” from siltation/runoff. It has gotten more difficult for them to forage medicinal plants, and
other plant-based nutrition. It also happened that their primary source of water has reduced its flow,
and (groundwater from roots) dried up at some point.

African tulips

They like planting African Tulips (Spathodea campanulataI) because of its aesthetic appeal not knowing
that this tree species is invasive and could threaten bee population.

Point and Non-point Sources of Pollution

Their primary source of water is around 200m ways down from the main road. It is essentially
groundwater, but modified to cater human convenience by adding a pipe, and cement to emulate a
water tank. Locals acquire water for drinking, cooking, washing from this area.
The clearing around the spring is polluted with numerous plastics; mostly sachets from bath products,
and other detergents. Since locals go there to take a bath, and wash their clothes. The trash that is in the
area was already almost blocking the flow of water. This created an almost stagnant pool which could
probably cause the high number of mosquitos in the clearing. Locals also go there to take a bath, and
wash their clothes. At this area, it also seemed that locals are unaware of their activities (bathing,
washing clothes, improper waste disposal) that it might be harmful for the whole ecosystem.

Peace and order

Peace and order has a big impact on their lives and livelihood. Being in a conflicted area, dili sila
makapangusog, the competition for resources. If there are armed conflicts, they cannot tend to their
farms which results to reduced yields. This also heightens their insecurity since they are located in a
far-flung area.

Apathy or Hopelessness: Attitudes of locals toward biodiversity conservation

Locals feel helpless against “giants” or mga dagkong tae because these people are rich and can
manipulate people with money and influence. Very difficult to go against them because they have higher
power than them.

Circle of life: Interdependence within ecosystems (Knowledge)

They fully understand how crucial the forest is to their water supply. Saying that if there’s no forest,
there’s no water. They also understand how important trees are to prevent soil erosion and landslides.

Reason for protecting the forest (Motivation)

Most of the reason why they protect the forest stems from the belief that if they wouldn’t mabuyagan
sila, and not because it is dictated by science or the government.

Willingness to share information

The locals’ willingness to be interviewed/provide information is commendable. For them, the

interview/study is an avenue or opportunity for them to share their plight. Hoping a positive intervention
from related agencies

They value education = western education + culture

Despite being in difficult area, locals value education. They (adults) would go as far as
registering/enrolling their names just to have enough students to open a grade level