Promoting the rule of law in land conflicts in Mindanao

Context

The Philippines is increasingly facing the challenge of addressing different interests in land use and distribution.

Conflicts regularly arise in Mindanao due to the lack of clear data. In addition, the relevant laws are overlapping and contradictory. A lack of information, together with language barriers, makes it difficult for indigenous communities to assert their land rights in relation to government agencies, or to enforce their titles as owners or users.

Dispute resolution mechanisms usually lack legal knowledge about land use. Moreover, groups of women involved in disputes are at high risk of experiencing gender-based disadvantage in the male-dominated arbitration processes.

Objective

Access to justice in land conflicts has improved for marginalised groups in the Mount Apo area of the Davao Region.

Approach

The project focuses primarily on promoting dispute resolution and conflict management in relation to land law in the Mount Apo area of the Davao Region. It provides support by

• connecting and coordinating relevant stakeholders with regard to the issuance of usage agreements, known as resource use instruments (RUIs), as well as dispute resolution and mediation,
• improving access to justice for people in land use conflicts and facilitating the legally secure titling of land rights,
• promoting gender-specific dispute resolution,
• supporting public complaints bodies which document violations of land rights,
• connecting agencies responsible for protecting civil rights with other relevant authorities and civil-society organisations,
• providing expert information, and
• promoting peer-to-peer learning with experienced specialists from other regions and supporting the design and implementation of training and knowledge management.

Last update: June 2023