respect. Datu Rio Besto, the Talaandig Chieftain, emphasized that the forest is a sacred ground for them. He further explained that the tribe has been the protectors of the forest for many generations. They consider the forest as their church (where they perform their sacred rituals), their market (where they source out for food), and their drugstore (as the source of their medicine for healing). It is thus important for the tribe to take care of the forest. These values and commitments are expressed in their community activities. In initiating project activities, for example, a ritual is celebrated by the group’s baylan (tribe’s religious leader) to pray and ask grace from the Magbabaya, the God. In reforestation, the group is careful in selecting seedlings to avoid planting of tree species they believe will attract bad luck (Salcedo, 2017). The tribe considers trees as life. As their ancestors have passed down to them the duty to guard the forest, so shall they hand this duty down to the next generation, to ensure that the forest continues to survive. The Baylans, the religious leaders, and healers of the tribe, have made big contributions in guarding the forest in the past generations. Suitable Land Management The traditional land governance system of the Talaandigs being anchored on their culture is simple, appropriate, and to a greater extent effective in protecting and regenerating the forest. Conflicts within the community are also promptly resolved. • Forest Protection 6 Apprehending illegal loggers have been difficult in the past for both the government and the tribal community. In the absence of legal recognition of their community rights, MILALITTRA had little authority to apprehend illegal loggers. With the awarding of CADT in 2003, however, it strengthened their resolve to exercise their rights in protecting the forest from logging activities. In support to their initiative, the DENR trained selected leaders and members of the Talaandig tribe on forest protection. Locally known as Bantay Lasang, they are certified and authorized by the government to help monitor, apprehend, and report illegal activities in the protected area of Mt. Kalatungan. MILALITTRA has also deterred entry of big corporations within their ancestral domain, as they believe this will defeat the tribe’s generation-long responsibility of protecting the forest. • Reforestation CADT did not only strengthen Talaandig’s assertion of their rights but allowed them to connect with government and civil society organizations (CSOs) in reforesting the denuded mountains. Among these groups are the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development (PAFID), the Kitanglad Integrated NGOs (KIN), Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), and the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF). • Conflict Resolution Conflicts among community members are resolved within the tribe. The Talaandig Tribe has a designated and recognized “Palahusay” who acts as the reconcilator among the tribal groups. The Palahusay can be a tribal chieftain, a tribal leader, or an elder