Celebrating a Culture of Peace: Ifugao Barangays Settle Long-Standing Boundary Dispute

March 2, 2020 Community Billboard

Leaders and community members of Barangays Dulao, Olilicon, and Tupaya of the Municipality of Lagawe in Ifugao came together on January 31, 2020 for a historic agreement to settle amicably their longstanding boundary dispute.
Not only does this mark the first time in the history of the province that an agreement on boundary dispute was reached; it was done so through an alternative process that involved a task force and jury composed of representative from government and non-government sectors.
“Hejet”/ “Hidit”
To formalize the parties’ commitment to the agreement, a “hejet” or “hidit” peace pact ceremony was held at Brgy Tupaya. It is a recognized customary practice to end hostilities among parties involved in a controversy. The barangays were represented by their chairpersons, Edwin Dulnuan for Dulao, Denver Taguiling for Olilicon, and Joey Anghad for Tupaya.
Erlindo Galap and Noel Galanggi, indigenous priests known as mumbaki, were called upon to perform the ceremony of hejet or hidit—a traditional peace pact in the Ayangan culture of Ifugao. Performed through the offering of animals as a testament to the truce between these communities, it is believed that whoever breaks the truce will be plagued by illness and ill fortune.
During the ceremony, Lagawe Municipal Mayor Martin Habawel, Jr. also commented that, “(This) historical event, will serve as a model in settling boundary disputes with the other barangays in the municipality of Lagawe and in the entire
Ifugao Province.”
Stand in Solidarity
The amicable settlement of this dispute is a testament to the solidarity of the tribe and the power of cooperation among the different sectors of Ifugao.
“Certainly, this will be honored and remembered by generations to come and passed on to them as a model worthy of emulation. As in this case, there is always a helping hand, [there are] people who will listen, and with that—a bright, emerging hope. Let this deliver the message that whatever challenges that come our way, we shall always remain one domain, one tribe,” Judge Frederic Cabbigat concluded.
Aside from the Task Force, the communities also agreed to form a multi-sectoral independent jury to decide on the matter. The eight members of this body were Engr. Miguel Dimalnat, Jr. for the Legislative Sector; Engr. Carmelita Buyuccan and Ifugao State University Director Eulalie Dulnuan for the Professional Sector; Bishop Valentin Dimoc and Pastor Laurence
Nanglegan for the Religious Sector; Marlon Martin for the n o n – g o v e r n m e n t organizations sector; Jose Namingit for the Senior Citizen Sector; and Atty. Jhonson Nasdoman for the Legal Sector.
In coordination with Lagawe Vice Mayor Reynold A. Kimmayong, the Task Force proceeded to take on its historic role.
The territory of Brgy. Olilicon was first to be established, but the dispute between Brgys. Tupaya and Dulao moved into an adjudication process after failing to reach an amicable settlement.
Brgy. Dulao eventually asked to reopen the amicable settlement process as it had a substantive proposal. On January 24, 2020, anagreement was reached delineating the boundaries of the two barangays.
“This is the first time that a case was resolved by (the) Sangguniang Bayan of Lagawe through the help of a Task Force and a jury. The amicable settlement of this case shows the solidarity of the tribe,” remarked Judge Cabbigat.

PR/SN ABOITIZ POWER