Out of the azure seas and sky is Gina Island (pronounced with a “g” as in gasoline). It is part of the Tagbanwa ancestral domain claim of Tara-Pali (Buenavista)-Malawig in Coron, Palawan. The island is accessible by boat from the surrounding barangays.

"Maraming salamat to the generous individuals and donors who provided support for Bukidnon tribe families in Brgy. Maluko. 140 households received 5 kilos of rice each to help tide over the difficult days brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. The distribution was facilitated by the leaders of Apu Datu Mambalintos Clan. They also extended the food relief to members of the Tribal Council, mostly Elders. 

Into the 4th week of the Covid-19 community quarantine, Jojo Mosquera peddled the day’s catch: 2 strings of fish and a medium-size octopus. For the Calamian Tagbanwa folks, fish catch has dwindled over the years because of commercial fishing boats encroaching into their ancestral waters. Jojo’s home is in Gina Island, part of the Calamian Tagbanwa ancestral domain of Tara, Pali/ Buenavista and Malawig (TPM) in Coron, Palawan. They applied for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) more than 20 years ago, but have yet to receive the title.

“Tungod sa kagutom nga nasinati sa mga tao, pati among mga lagutmon nga among pananom sa palibot ginapangawat na” (Due to scarcity of food that people are experiencing, even our rootcrops are being stolen), Ester “Bae Makabulig” Villarin said. As the entire province of Bukidnon continue to implement a general community quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tightening of food supply for the entire province resulted to deprivation in the communities.

Indigenous communities turn to their traditional sources of food to cope with the COVID-19 crisis. For the Serukadang Menuvu Tribe Organization (SMTO) in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, they are now relying on what they are able to get from their waters.

“Pagpanikop nalang sa sapa ang among gisaligan karon, (We are now relying only on what we are able to catch from the streams),” said Datu Benjie Ompigan, their community leader. “Dili pa man mi katanom kay wala pay ulan. (We could not plant yet because it hasn’t rained).”

“Maong kanunay mi maulahi o kaha dili na lang adtoan tungod sa kalayo sa among lugar” (That is why we are always the last or they forego reaching our community because of the long distance), Limonda Barangay Chairperson Mikel Sambulay said.  Like neighboring Brgy. Cauyunan, Limonda is also in the most hinterland part of Opol, Misamis Oriental, accessible via Manticao Municipality, Misamis Oriental. The Municipa Local Government Unit (MLGU) have to pass thru several municipalities before it reaches the village. 

You can support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities struggling to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and community quarantines.
A donation of one thousand pesos (P1000) or twenty US dollars ($20) will provide food for one family for two weeks and allow for delivery of these to isolated and predominantly indigenous communities that are not yet being reached by current sources of relief.  But we would also welcome more.   

Last 05 April 2020, Samdhana launched an appeal to raise funds for emergency relief to the community in Brgy. Cauyunan, Opol, Misamis Oriental. The community, composed mostly of Higaonon families, is part of the Dulangan Unified Ancestral Domain.

"Bugas ug asin lang gyud ang among kinahanglan, naa pa mi makuha nga mga lagutmon sa lasang. “All we need is rice and some salt, we have other food sources in the forest” said Datu Romeo of Brgy. Cauyunan, Opol, Misamis Oriental when he called Samdhana Institute’s Erwin Quiñones.  The community is under quarantine due to COVID-19, their movements restricted, and there is no daily wage farm work. Their backyard gardens were destroyed by drought.