The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) was created to protect the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) and Indigenous Peoples (IPs).
One of the most important rights it upholds is the right to ancestral land.
If you or your community belong to an ICC or IP group, and you have land that has been passed down through generations, this program may help secure legal recognition and protection.
The NCIP supports your right to own, manage, and protect your ancestral land through titles, development plans, and access to government services.
Are You Eligible for NCIP Land Rights Support?
First, make sure that you or your community is officially recognized as part of an ICC or IP group.
You can check this with your barangay or municipal office, or directly with NCIP.
You must be living in or claiming land that is considered ancestral domain or ancestral land under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).
This means the land must have been occupied, cared for, and passed down through your lineage over generations.
Your community must also show traditional ownership or long-term occupancy of the land.
If your group has been displaced but has proof of earlier settlement, you may still be eligible.
Empowering your community through legal recognition starts with confirming this eligibility.
What Documents Should You Prepare?
Once your community confirms eligibility, it’s time to gather documents.
This part of the process helps NCIP verify that your community truly owns the land by tradition and history.
Here’s what you may need to prepare:
- A formal claim or request letter addressed to the NCIP regional office
- Any historical or cultural proof of ownership (old maps, photos, testimonies)
- Barangay or municipal endorsement letters
- Tribal council or elders’ resolution or affidavit
- Community sketch or site map showing boundaries of the land
- Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) or Certificate of Ancestral Land Title (CALT), if already available
If you don’t have a CADT or CALT yet, the application process will include requesting one.
This is often the heart of the entire effort, so expect it to take time.
NCIP will use these documents to validate your claim and begin their site visits.
Keep everything organized in one folder and label your copies clearly.
Build Your Ancestral Domain Plan
Every ICC or IP community applying for NCIP support must submit an Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP).
This plan is created by your community with help from elders, youth, and traditional leaders.
It explains how you will take care of your ancestral domain.
The ADSDPP includes:
- A vision for your land and future
- Community goals for livelihood, education, health, and cultural preservation
- Plans for protecting forests, water sources, and sacred areas
- Traditions that guide how land is used and respected
Your plan must reflect the values and culture of your people.
It is not just a paper requirement.
It shows the government that your community is united, prepared, and committed to caring for the land.
You can ask NCIP or partner NGOs for technical help in building this plan.
Once completed, the plan becomes a powerful tool not just for land rights, but for future development programs too.
How to Submit Your Application
Once your documents and ADSDPP are ready, it’s time to submit.
You can now use NCIP e-Services to file your application online.
Visit their official site and look for the link to e-Services.
If your internet connection is limited, you can still submit directly to the nearest NCIP provincial or regional office.
Bring your full set of documents, and request a receiving copy stamped with the date of submission.
Ask who your contact person will be for follow-up.
Keep copies of all forms and submissions for your own records.
What Happens After You Apply?
NCIP will start with a validation process.
This includes site visits, community consultations, and review of your documents.
They may interview elders or ask for more information to confirm traditional ownership.
Next, your CADT or CALT application will be reviewed by different NCIP units.
This part may take a few months or even a year, depending on the region.
You can follow up through your assigned NCIP contact or online via the e-Services portal.
Be patient but persistent.
Keep your community informed, and attend any required meetings or hearings.
Why This Process Matters
Getting your land formally recognized is more than just a piece of paper.
It gives your community the power to protect your territory from outsiders.
It helps prevent land grabbing, supports cultural preservation, and opens doors to national development programs.
It also strengthens the next generation’s connection to the land and identity.
Though the process may seem slow, it builds a strong foundation for your future.
And you are not alone.
Many ICC and IP communities have completed this journey before.
Yours can too.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between CADT and CALT?
CADT refers to a collective ancestral domain held by the whole community.
CALT refers to smaller ancestral land areas held by individuals or families within the community. - How long does it take to get a CADT or CALT approved?
It can take several months to a few years, depending on the size of the land and completeness of documents. - Can we apply as a displaced community?
Yes, if you have evidence that your community originally occupied the area and was displaced, you may still apply. - Can we get help building our ADSDPP?
Yes, many NCIP offices or NGOs offer technical help.
Ask your regional office for guidance or support partners.
Conclusion
Applying for NCIP programs may feel like a long road.
But every form you fill out, every meeting you attend, and every piece of history you share is part of something bigger.
It’s about protecting your roots, your stories, and your community’s future.
Your ancestral land holds memories, meaning, and identity.
Securing it through legal recognition ensures your children and grandchildren can continue what your elders began.
If it feels hard, remember that support exists.
Your voice, your plan, and your unity as a community are powerful tools.
Take one step at a time.
Start by checking your eligibility.
Then gather your documents.
Write your ADSDPP with heart and honesty.
Submit with confidence, and follow through.
You deserve to be seen.
You deserve to be heard.
And most importantly, you deserve the right to stay rooted in the land that raised you.