Culturally Informed Legal Practice in Agricultural Land Dispute Resolution: Insights and Evidences of Tongtong Among Kalanguya Indigenous Peoples, Philippines

Land dispute associated with land rights is an inevitable community issue among indigenous cultural communities and contemporary societies. It is on this premise that customary laws are applied to resolve conflicts between disputing parties, while legal court proceedings are implemented through established justice system. The study documented Tongtong (dialogue) as a culturally informed legal practice in resolving agricultural land disputes among the Kalanguya Indigenous Peoples (IP) in Lusod, Kabayan, Benguet, Philippines. Guided by the Socio-Cultural Tradition of Communication, nine land dispute cases were settled by the Lusod Barangay Local Government from 2019 to 2021. These cases were analyzed to identify the process and cultural integration in Tongtong as an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism. Findings revealed two major anchors in the Tongtong process: (1) legal procedure following the Philippine Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) through filing, conciliation, arbitration, and mediation; and (2) integration of customary laws namely peace pact and kaihing (parental engagement). Cultural elements like participatory dialogue, community involvement, and communal welfare and value-laden approaches are observable. However, behavioral issues, emotional reluctance, and punitive consequences are the challenges observed. The study concludes that Tongtong is an effective, culturally grounded ADR system that secures community rights and mutual benefits.