Coron Island é um arquipélago cheio de recifes de coral, lagoas salobras, manguezais, florestas de pedra calcária e da biodiversidade florescente. Há dez lagos na área considerado sagrado pelos Calamian Tagbanwa, chamado de Panyu de. Os lagos também são oficialmente reconhecidos pelo Estado como territórios ancestrais indígenas. In the face of increasing development pressures such as mining and modern fisheries, it is doubtful if this recognition successfully protects the cultural and biological values of the Calamian Tagbanwa lands.

The Calamian Tagbanwa are fishing people whose customary rules regulate fishing, including to define were fishing is allowed. Other areas can only be entered for cultural use when permission of the spirits is obtained. Regrettable an influx of migrants and youngsters who do not adhere to the customary rules threaten these sacred areas. Their more modern ways of fishing are less sustainable and traditionally defined restricted areas and fishing regulations are not respected. The Calamian Tagbanwa believe these violations upset the spirits and the giant mythological octopus, Kunlalabyut, who live in the lakes.

Luckily most youngsters still respect the teachings of the elders. A solution to ensure the maintenance of the sacred areas is to train the elders and communities to react to the threats posed to their lands. One aspect of that is to enable elders and communities to organise meetings where their traditional knowledge is taught to the next generation. In this way the younger generation is continuously engaged with the sacred knowledge and customary law.

For more information see the site description on the local or read the case study that Arlene Sampang prepared for the book: Sacred Sites Natural, conserving nature & cultura, chapter 24.

Por: Rianne Doller