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First Posted on Inside Mindanao: September 25, 2007

Significant events of the Manobo people in
Barangay San Nicolas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon
By NAGTIMMA

1920s:
Lt. Manolo Fortich borrowed from Datu Lorenzo Tigbabao, Nicanor “Manhunong” Tigbabao, Malugko Doquit, and Magbisyuwan Tigbabao their ancestral domain bounded in the north by Mt. Maketed; on the east by Maramag River; on the south by Banban Creek; on the west by Molita River. The land being borrowed was intended for the ranch of Dr. Amie, Mr. Panganiban, and Mr. Elizalde.

1940s:
The logging operation of Bukidnon Lumber Company, jointly owned by Howard Denison and Fortich Family, started.

1948-1964:
Mr. Santiago Sandoval from Luzon intruded on certain area that was formerly the ranch of Dr. Amie. Mr. Sandoval turned the area into Sandoval Agricultural Corp. (SAC). Mr. Calaw also intruded certain area that was the former ranch of Dr. Amie and Mr. Panganiban. Mr. Calaw turned the area into Calao Farm Corp. (CFC). Meanwhile, Mr. De Leon assumed the areas ranched by Mr. Elizalde.

1950s:
During President Ramon Magsaysay’s administration, the National Authority Resettlement Rehabilitation Area (NARRA) was proclaimed. The issuance of land declaration certificates and land titling was introduced. It was also the beginning of the migration of the people from Luzon and Visayas—making Mindanao as their resettlement site. Nobody from the ancestry of Datu Lorenzo Tigbabao, Nicanor “Manhunong” Tigbabao, Malugko Doquit, and Magbisyuwan Tigbabao acquired land titles. Nevertheless, the Calao Farm Corp. acquired land title for 905 hectares and Sandoval Agricultural Corp. for 768 hectares. However, De Leon was not able to acquire land title.

1964-1974:
Don Zobel Ayala of Los Arenas Corp. assumed the Calao Farm Corp., Sandoval Agricultural Corp., and the area of De Leon.

1974-1982:
Construction Dev‎’t Corp. of the Philippines (CDCP) owned by Rodolfo Cuenca (brother-in-law of Imelda Romualdez-Marcos) assumed the corporation of Don Zobel Ayala.

1979-1986:
The ancestry of Datu Lorenzo Tigbabao, Nicanor “Manhunong” Tigbabao, Malugko Doquit, and Magbisyuwan Tigbabao initiated to regain the land. Some of them approached the office of PANAMIN/OSCC.

1982-1985:
National Development Corp. (NDC) owned by Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. assumed the CDCP.

1986:
The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) sequestered the NDC. The sequestered area was converted to government-owned company Bukidnon Farm Industries (BFI). However, the management staff of NDC also managed the BFI.

1987:
The administration of President Corazon Aquino passed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. It was then that NDC farm workers organized themselves into BFI-Cooperative.

1985-1990s:
The organized BFI-Cooperative members occupied the sequestered land. Meanwhile, the Manobo ancestry initiated several times to recover the borrowed land but they were always blocked. After the government sequestered the land, farm workers and professional squatters claimed the land also claimed by the Manobo.

1993:
The Manobo people re-organized themselves. The Nagkahiusang Tingog sa mga Manobong Mag-uuma sa Molita Association (NAGTIMMA) was organized. NAGTIMMA is composed of Tigbabao, Doquit, Aboy, Cul-om, and Daguiwaas clans.

END

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