Indigenous Knowledge and Practices of the Agta Community and Their Role on Environmental Governance at Sitio Malikon-likon, Barangay San Jose, San Mariano, Isabela

Jevi Chelle Kyla  A. Belmonte,; Jessa Marie  L. Alvarez,; Jennelle  T. Zabat,

Indigenous Knowledge and Practices of the Agta Community and Their Role on Environmental Governance at Sitio Malikon-likon, Barangay San Jose, San Mariano, Isabela

Jevi Chelle Kyla A. Belmonte | Jessa Marie L. Alvarez | Jennelle T. Zabat

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

Abstract:

The Agtas’ indigenous knowledge and practices (IKP) possess traditional systems, beliefs, and values that have been transmitted through generations. It is known to have an invaluable IKP, which contributed to the sustainable management of natural resources in their ancestral domain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Agtas’ IKPs have a role in environmental governance. This study will also look at comanagement efforts and the problems faced by the community and the local government agency pertaining to the environment and natural resources. The study conducted key informant interviews and in-depth semistructured interviews with respondents who had first-hand knowledge about the community. The findings of the study revealed a clashing perspective from the key respondents, especially between the Agta and the LGU. The Agta considered themselves as among the protectors and guardians of nature. They believe that their IKPs play an important role in managing the environment as they provide skillful actions regarding resource use and conservation management. While the LGU recognizes this knowledge and practices of the Agta, findings show that their only contribution is to report illegal activities and that the Agtas’ IKPs are not that inclined to the environment and natural resources mission. The LGU emphasized that the culture of the Agta is more geared toward utilization, so they do not rely much on the Agta when it comes to governing the environment. Contrary to various research claims that the IKP of the indigenous people has a substantial role in environmental governance, it reveals recognition of the Agtas’ IKPs but little effort to include the Agta community in the overall governance of the environment. The study concluded that the Agtas’ IKPs contributed to the management of the environment, yet there is still a discussion as to whether their IKPs are suitable for this changing time.

References:

Ahmed, S., & Gorey, K. M. (2023). Employment discrimination faced by Muslim women wearing the hijab: Exploratory meta-analysis. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 32(3), 115-123. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2020.1870601
Aminudin, R. (2023). The Evolution of Muslim Women's Political Participation. IslamiCity. https://www.islamicity.org/88970/the-evolution-of-muslim-womens-political-participation/
Austria, G. R. D., Chua, V. G. D., & Aquino, A. E. C. A Case Study on the Intersectional Realities of Muslim Women residing in Muslim Towns in Quiapo, Manila and Maharlika Village, Taguig, and their Voting Preferences.
Balo, G. S. C., Mama, R. A. D., Monteroso, A. I. B., Tsai, A. E. T., & Veloso, D. T. M. (2022). Muslim Modesty: Cultural Reverberations of Local Predominant Conventions Towards the Meaning-Making of Modesty Among Young Adult Muslimahs in Marawi and Manila, Philippines. Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students, 1(1), 5.
Braganza, M. E., & Hodge, D. R. (2023). Understanding Muslims' interactions with non-Muslims: Laying the foundation for culturally sensitive social work engagement. Qualitative Social Work, 14733250231175161.
Hakansson Schmidt, A. (2020). An alternative agenda for gender just peace?: social justice and women's peace advocacy amid the consolidation of Bangsamoro autonomy in the Southern Philippines.
Hamid, N., & Farahmand, F. (2022). Women's Rights to Vote in Islam and Dealing with it in Afghan Society. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies, 4(2), 52-57.
Hoel, N. (2016). Exploring women's madrasahs in South Africa: Implications for the construction of Muslim personhood and religious literacy. Religious Education, 111(1), 30-48.
Ilhaamie, A. G. A., Arni, B. S., Rosmawani, C. H., & Al-Banna, M. H. (2014). Challenges of Muslim women entrepreneurs in Malaysian SMEs. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 5(6), 428.
Kubota, M., & Takashi, N. (2016). Case Study on Mindanao the Philippines: Women's Participation and Leadership in Peacebuilding. Policy Paper, (2), 1-65.
Mukuria, P. W. (2018). Factors Contributing to High Rate of Illiteracy among the Borana Muslim Women in Marginalized Areas: A Case Study of Marsabit County. Impact: Journal of Transformation, 1(2), 1-23.
Noor, S. (2018). Creating a female Islamic Space. Piety, Islamic knowledge and religious authority among Born-Muslims and converts to Islam in the Netherlands and Belgium (Doctoral dissertation, [SI]:[Sn]).
Racman, S. H. A. (2022). Is there a Sexism in Islamic Leadership? The Case of the Sultanahs in Lanao Sultanate, Philippines. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 12(2), 88-102.
Rahaman, M. (2023). Participation of Muslim Women in Politics: An Islamic Perspective. Youth Ki Awaaz. https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2023/01/participation-of-muslim-women-in-politics-an-islamic-perspective/.
Sharif, R., & Hina, G. I. (2018). Participation of women in Politics: A Perceptive of Hurdles and Challenges. Journal of Art and Social Sciences, 1(5), 68-95.