“Pinaghirapan natin ang proyektong ito. Ipagpatuloy natin (We worked hard for this project. Let us pursue it).”
Ernald Datuwata, a Lambangian Peoples Organization (LPO) youth leader, stressed the importance of pursuing the revival of their sulagad system in a meeting conducted by LPO officers, elders, and youth leaders in sitio[1] Benuan, barangay[2] Kuya, South Upi, Maguindanao, Mindanao, Philippines during Tebtebba’s visit on 19 June to 5 July 2022.
In the said gathering, LPO officers, elders, and members discussed the initial experiences, challenges, and lessons learned from their ongoing revival of their sulagad system, a traditional farming system among the Lambangian and Teduray indigenous peoples in the southern part of the country that intentionally integrates various tree and crop varieties and animals into the farmed area which is, then, supplemented by the practice of hunting and gathering.