CHAPTER III RIGHTS TO ANCESTRAL DOMAINS

SEC. 4. Concept of Ancestral Lands/Domains. - Ancestral lands/ domains shall include such
concepts of territories which cover not only the physical environment but the total
environment including the spiritual and cultural bonds to the areas which the ICCs/IPs
possess, occupy and use and to which they have claims of ownership.
SEC. 5. Indigenous Concept of Ownership. - Indigenous concept of ownership sustains the
view that ancestral domains and all resources found therein shall serve as the material bases
of their cultural integrity. The indigenous concept of ownership generally holds that ancestral
domains are the ICC's/IP's private but community property which belongs to all generations
and therefore cannot be sold, disposed or destroyed. It likewise covers sustainable traditional
resource rights.
SEC. 6. Composition of Ancestral Lands/Domains. - Ancestral lands and domains shall
consist of all areas generally belonging to ICCs/ IPs as referred under Sec. 3, items (a) and
(b) of this Act.
SEC. 7. Rights to Ancestral Domains. - The rights of ownership and possession of ICCs/IPs
to their ancestral domains shall be recognized and protected. Such rights shall include:
a) Right of Ownership - The right to claim ownership over lands, bodies of water
traditionally and actually occupied by ICCs/IPs, sacred places, traditional hunting and fishing
grounds, and all improvements made by them at any time within the domains;

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b)Right to Develop Lands and Natural Resources. - Subject to Section 56 hereof, right to
develop, control and use lands and territories traditionally occupied, owned, or used; to
manage and conserve natural resources within the territories and uphold the responsibilities
for future generations; to benefit and share the profits from allocation and utilization of the
natural resources found therein; the right to negotiate the terms and conditions for the
exploration of natural resources in the areas for the purpose of ensuring ecological,
environmental protection and the conservation measures, pursuant to national and customary
laws; the right to an informed and intelligent participation in the formulation and
implementation of any project, government or private, that will affect or impact upon the
ancestral domains and to receive just and fair compensation for any damages which they may
sustain as a result of the project; and the right to effective measures by the government to
prevent any interference with, alienation and encroachment upon these rights;
c) Right to Stay in the Territories. - The right to stay in the territory and not to be removed
therefrom. No ICCs/IPs will be relocated without their free and prior informed consent, nor
through any means other than eminent domain. Where relocation is considered necessary as
an exceptional measure, such relocation shall take place only with the free and prior informed
consent of the ICCs/IPs concerned and whenever possible, they shall be guaranteed the right
to return to their ancestral domains, as soon as the grounds for relocation cease to exist.
When such return is not possible, as determined by agreement or through appropriate
procedures, ICCs/IPs shall be provided in all possible cases with lands of quality and legal
status at least equal to that of the land previously occupied by them, suitable to provide for
their present needs and future development. Persons thus relocated shall likewise be fully
compensated for any resulting loss or injury;
d) Right in Case of Displacement. - In case displacement occurs as a result of natural
catastrophes, the State shall endeavor to resettle the displaced ICCs/IPs in suitable areas
where they can have temporary life support systems: Provided, That the displaced ICCs/IPs
shall have the right to return to their abandoned lands until such time that the normalcy and
safety of such lands shall be determined: Provided, further, That should their ancestral
domain cease to exist and normalcy and safety of the previous settlements are not possible,
displaced ICCs/IPs shall enjoy security of tenure over lands to which they have been
resettled: Provided furthermore, That basic services and livelihood shall be provided to them
to ensure that their needs are adequately addressed;
e) Right to Regulate Entry of Migrants. - Right to regulate the entry of migrant settlers and
organizations into the domains;
f) Right to Safe and Clean Air and Water. - For this purpose, the ICCs/IPs shall have access
to integrated systems for the management of their inland waters and air space;
g) Right to Claim Parts of Reservations -The right to claim parts of the ancestral domains
which have been reserved for various purposes, except those reserved and intended for
common and public welfare and service; and
h) Right to Resolve Conflict. - Right to resolve land conflicts in accordance with customary
laws of the area where the land is located, and only in default thereof shall the complaints be
submitted to amicable settlement and to the Courts of Justice whenever necessary.

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SEC. 8. Rights to Ancestral Lands. - The right of ownership and possession of the ICCs /IPs
to their ancestral lands shall be recognized and protected.
a) Right to transfer land/property. - Such right shall include the right to transfer land or
property rights to/among members of the same ICCs/IPs, subject to customary laws and
traditions of the community concerned.
b) Right to Redemption. - In cases where it is shown that the transfer of land/property rights
by virtue of any agreement or devise, to a nonmember of the concerned ICCs/IPs is tainted by
the vitiated consent of the ICCs/IPs, or is transferred for an unconscionable consideration or
price, the transferor ICC/IP shall have the right to redeem the same within a period not
exceeding fifteen (15) years from the date of transfer.
SEC. 9. Responsibilities of ICCs/IPs to their`4ncestral Domains. -ICCs/IPs occupying a duly
certified ancestral domain shall have the following responsibilities:
a) Maintain Ecological Balance. - To preserve, restore, and maintain a balanced ecology in
the ancestral domain by protecting the flora and fauna, watershed areas, and other reserves;
b) Restore Denuded Areas. - To actively initiate, undertake and participate in the
reforestation of denuded areas and other development programs and projects subject to just
and reasonable remuneration; and
c) Observe Laws. - To observe and comply with the provisions of this Act and the rules and
regulations for its effective implementation.
SEC. 10. Unauthorized and Unlawful Intrusion. - Unauthorized end unlawful intrusion upon,
or use of any portion of the ancestral domain, or any violation of the rights herein before
enumerated, shall be punishable under this law. Furthermore, the Government shall take
measures to prevent non-ICCs/IPs from taking advantage of the ICCs/IPs customs or lack of
understanding of laws to secure ownership, possession of land belonging to said ICCs/IPs.
SEC. 11. Recognition of Ancestral Domain Rights. - The rights of ICCs/IPs to their ancestral
domains by virtue of Native Title shall be recognized and respected. Formal recognition,
when solicited by ICCs/ IPs concerned, shall be embodied in a Certificate of Ancestral
Domain Title (CADT), which shall recognize the title of the concerned ICCs/IPs over the
territories identified and delineated.
SEC. 12. Option to Secure Certificate of Title Under Commonwealth Act 141, as amended,
or the Land Registration Act 496. - Individual members of cultural communities, with respect
to their individually-owned ancestral lands who, by themselves or through their
predecessors-in-interest, have been in continuous possession and occupation of the same in
the concept of owner since time immemorial or for a period of not less than thirty (30) years
immediately preceding the approval of this Act and uncontested by the members of the same
ICCs/ IPs shall have the option to secure title to their ancestral lands under the provisions of
Commonwealth Act 141, as amended, or the Land Registration Act 496.

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For this purpose, said individually-owned ancestral lands, which are agricultural in character
and actually used for agricultural, residential, pasture, and tree farming purposes, including
those with a slope of eighteen percent (18%) or more, are hereby classified as alienable and
disposable agricultural lands.
The option granted under this section shall be exercised within twenty (20) years from the
approval of this Act.