ESPERANZA, Agusan del Sur, Philippines – After a long wait, the highland village folk will finally receive their estimated 200,000 hectares of ancestral lands in the highland communities of Agusan del Sur, officials said Saturday.

The provincial government of Agusan del Sur has already set aside a large amount for the processing of the Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title or CADTs for the native beneficiaries.

Aside from the provincial government, the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) provincial office in Agusan del Sur, is already assisting to fast-track the processing of the CADTs.

Agusan del Sur Gov. Adolph Edward Plaza assured tribal leaders in highland areas in this river town that their CADTs will be given to them soon, since the process is nearing its completion.

The provincial chief executive made this assurance during the cross country tour “Malungon Mountain Trail” with members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and other local officials.