Problem Tree Analysis GOT A PERCENTAGE OF

TOURISM PROFITS

DUE TO THE MANY

ISSUES BEING FACED BY
SUKATAN
(FROM A) THE IP COMMUNITY, ATTEMPTS TO UNIFY
DEMONSTRATIONS
ORGANIZATIONS LIKE
SUKATAN WERE CREATED

HARDER FOR FUTURE CURRENTLY PURSUING A

THE CULTURE "DYING
(FROM B) GENERATIONS TO LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM
OFF"
SUPPORT IP ENDEAVORS (CRAFTS)

MAY FURTHER THE

PROBLEMS OF THE LACK
(FROM C)
OF POLITICAL
REPRESENTATION

EFFECTS
HINDER UNIFICATION
ATTEMPTS

DISCORD AMONG
(FROM D)
FELLOW IP MEMBERS
HINDER STRIVES TOWARD
COMMUNAL INTERESTS/
BENEFITS

DIFFICULTY IN
THE CONTINUATION OF
INFLUENCING GOV'T
CENTENNIAL DAM
DECISIONS THAT AFFECT
PROJECT
THEM
(FROM E)

DIFFICULTY IN
DEFENDING THEIR
INTERESTS
 CAUSES

A. ) PROBLEM WITH THE

B.) LACK OF POLITICAL E.) STRUGGLE TO PRESERVE
ENFORCEMENT OF THE C.) CORRUPTION D.) LACK OF SOLIDARITY
PRESENTATION CULTURAL HERITAGE
IPRA

ACUISITION OF ANCESTRAL
CULTURE NO LONGER
DOMAINS AND ANCESTRAL
INADEUATE GOV'T WHERE DO THE HELP PASSED TO THE YOUNGER
LANDS BY PRIVATE LACK OF PARTICIPATION CONFLICT OF INTEREST TOURISM/ DEVELOPMENT MAINSTREAM EDUCATION MIGRATION
SUPPORT FROM NGO END UP? GENERATION ( EX:
INDIVIDUALS AND OTHER
INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE)
ISSUES

SOME IP MEMBERS SELL DESPITE VARIOUS GOV'T

INFLUX OF NON-
THEIR PART OF LAND PROGRAMS (EX: MEDICAL VOTE BUYING DURING SELF-SERVING VS DISCRIMINATION (CASES
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN JOB OPPORTUNITIES
WITHOUT COMMUNAL MISSIONS), IP COMMUNITY ELECTIONS COMMUNAL OF BULLYING IN SCHOOL)
THE COMMUNITY
CONSENT IS STILL IN POVERTY
Problem Tree Analysis

MAIN PROBLEM: MARGINALIZATION OF THE IP COMMUNITY IN BRGY. DARAITAN

The main problem is the marginalization of the IP community in the barangay. This can be derived from five issues present in the IP community
and in the IP sector in general. These are: the problem with the enforcement of IPRA law, the lack of political representation within the local
government, corruption within the government, the conflict of interests among fellow IP members, and the struggle to preserve cultural heritage.

(Check IPRA definition for ancestral land) The problem with the enforcement of the IPRA law can be clearly seen in the instances of the acquisition
of ancestral lands by private individuals. Because of the Tinipak river and Mt. Daraitan, brgy. Daraitan has become a popular tourist spot which
creates a demand for services that cater specifically to tourists like hotels and restaurants. This prospect may be one of the reasons why private
individuals covet the land in the area and take measures to attain them. They may predict the return of their investments as promising. However,
the problem of the acquisition of ancestral lands can not be attributed to these private individuals alone. There are cases where IP members
voluntarily sell their land without communal consent. This can be done through the exchange of money or through the exchange of something the
parties deems of equal value. This in turn creates conflicts within the IP community and hampers the strives in fighting for their rights to keep the
ancestral lands.

The second problem is the lack of political representation within the local and even the municipal government. In many cases, indigenous peoples
are regarded as the minority. The political scene is no different. Though there are some indigenous people who do end up working in govverment,
an interviewee said that they do not care about IP community and its particular struggles anymore. Also, the lack of political representation can
be attributed to government support that is good, but inadequate in improving their capabilities and empowering them. One example would be
the medical mission that gave free medical check ups, tooth removal, and medicine. Another example would be the tribal hall near the barangay
basketball court that the government built for them. Both were seen first hand by the immersionists and both are generally good. However, they
are still not adequate in empowering the IP community in terms of the political scene. Because of this lack of political representation, they are
vulnerable to those who do have power. It will lead to difficulty in influencing government decisions that affect the IP community locally and the
IP sector nationally. It makes it difficult for them to defend their interests. This could range from the bias of a barangay captain regarding issues in
the community, to the continuation of the centennial dams project that would submerge a large area designated as ancestral land and would
displace a large number of people.

Speaking of the political scene, the third problem is about corruption within the government, more specifically how government services are being
delivered. A point of interest regarding corruption according to an interviewee is: where does the help from NGOs end up? Also, it was said that
to be a tour guide one requires a medical permit, for safety reasons. However, it was complained that the process of acquiring a permit has been
turned into a “business.” The officials or facilitators asks for the payment but conducts improper medical assessments (limited to merely checking
the heart beat with a stethoscope). As another point of interest, an interviewee said that bayaran or vote buying exists in the community. This is
a problem because the election may elect officials not because they promote the common good including the rights of the IP community, but for
other reasons. Though admittedly, this claim is harder to prove.

The fourth problem is lack of solidarity within the IP community. One aspect of this can be attributed to the conflict of interests within individual
members and the IP community as a whole. As mentioned earlier, some IP members sell their land without communal consent and creates
disharmony within the IP community. It was also mentioned that not everyone approves of the SUKATAN and their methods of pursuing indigenous
people’s rights. Not only that, but even some officials of the SUKATAN are not doing their jobs properly. These highlight the lack of solidarity within
the IP community despite the importance of such solidarity for their culture. Perhaps one of the most recent example of disunity among fellow IP
members is regarding the play Komedya. It is a play by IP members about IP culture and some IP members wanted to use 30,000 pesos from the
tourism profits to fund the project while others did not want the funds to be spent on matters such as a play. Regardless of the outcome of any
particular conflict, discord among fellow IP members will hinder attempts to unify the community and hinder strives toward communal interests
and benefits. Another aspect would be a lack of participation among the IP community in general. As mentioned earlier, though the SUKATAN
claims to fight for the rights of indigenous peoples, there are IP members of the community that don’t approve of them and participate with them.

The fifth problem is the struggle to preserve cultural heritage. There are many factors to this problem and the first is tourism. There is no doubt
that with the development of tourism, came many new job opportunities like being a tour guide and selling souvenirs. However, this also lead to
the influx of many non-indigenous people in the community further making them the IP community the minority group and forcing them to adapt
to the changing times. Another factor would be mainstream education. According to a study in 2007, aspects of indigenous culture has become
difficult to maintain in the midst of mainstream education because they may be regarded as shallow or backward in terms of modernity and as
such, aspects of indigenous cultures are no longer carried by the younger generations.1 In line with this, a foster parent of one member of the
group told of a story that during her youth she was bullied in school because she was different. As a response to this form of discrimination, they
no longer teach their children about their indigenous language. Lastly, migration out of the community to pursue better job opportunities seems
to be a detrimental factor to the preservation of their cultural heritage. This is related to the need to adapt to the changing times and what they
end up leaving behind, which is more than their homes but their culture. Together, all these factors contribute to the struggle to preserve cultural
heritage which in the future, could result in the culture “dying off.” This may well lead to future generations finding it more difficult for them to
support IP endeavors due to a cultural dissonance.

1
INSERT POS SOURCE
Each problem in of itself is large problem and these five problems together contribute to the marginalization of the IP community in Barangay
Daraitan. However, there is hope. The organization mentioned earlier, SUKATAN was created because of the plethora of problems and issues faced
by many IP communities, in Daraitan and neighboring barangays. Though far from perfect, they make concrete steps toward defending their rights
and empowerment for their members. The prime example of this would be their livelihood project regarding crafts, mainly brooms and furniture
made from natural materials found in the river or mountain.