Surublien Kat Kagaynan: A Legacy of Empowerment and Conservation

At GreenPact, we believe that the best stewards of nature are the communities that call it home. Through Surublien Kat Kagaynan (Legacy to a Better Future), our partnership with NATRIPAL is empowering indigenous peoples in Palawan to reclaim their rights, protect their ancestral lands, and build a future where culture and conservation thrive together.

For generations, Palawan’s indigenous communities have lived in harmony with their environment, yet legal recognition of their land has remained out of reach. This project helped change that. With our support, four indigenous communities completed the documentation for their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), securing legal ownership of their lands. Five communities also developed their Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP)—a crucial roadmap for governance, conservation, and sustainable resource use.

Protecting nature goes hand in hand with securing livelihoods. Through biodiversity assessments across seven communities, local leaders gained a deeper understanding of their ecosystems. These insights led to sustainable livelihood initiatives like honey harvesting and non-timber forest product utilization—ensuring economic progress is rooted in environmental responsibility.

But empowerment is more than just land and livelihood; it’s about knowledge and opportunity. To bridge the digital divide, we established five solar-powered community learning hubs. These hubs are more than access points for market information and online education—they are spaces where knowledge is shared, resources are managed, and communities take control of their future.

At the heart of this transformation is leadership. Through strategic training in governance and sustainability, indigenous leaders—elders, women, and youth alike—have gained the confidence to advocate for their communities. Traditional roles are evolving, with women and young leaders stepping forward, breaking barriers, and shaping the future.

Collaboration has been key. Partnerships with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the City Environment Office (CENRO), and Palawan State University have amplified the project’s impact, ensuring lasting change beyond its duration.

As Surublien Kat Kagaynan concludes, its legacy is just beginning. With land rights secured, governance strengthened, and sustainable opportunities in place, these communities are no longer just protecting their heritage—they are shaping their future on their own terms.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Voice Philippines for making this journey possible. This project is proof that when communities are empowered, they become the most powerful guardians of their land, culture, and destiny.