Research Field Visit in Sagada, Mountain Province Community Assembly for Indigenous Methods of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution

April 4, 2024 | Sagada Municipal Hall

Sagada, Sagada, holds a quiet strength—one that speaks through its elders, its collective decision-making, and its deep respect for dialogue. On April 4, 2024, I had the privilege of conducting my Community Assembly in Sagada as part of my doctoral research entitled “Indigenous Methods of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution.”

This field visit was not merely a research requirement; it was a moment of humility, listening, and learning. In Indigenous research, consent is not a formality—it is a relationship. Every step taken that day reflected the importance of transparency, respect, and shared understanding.

A Process Rooted in Respect

The community gathering at the Sagada Municipal Hall formally covered the essential and culturally appropriate processes required for ethical Indigenous research:

✔️ Community Assembly

✔️ Conference & Disclosure of the Study

✔️ Community Decision-Making

✔️ Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

✔️ Resolution of Consent

Each stage was conducted with openness, allowing the community to fully understand the intent, scope, and implications of my research. What struck me most was how decision-making in Sagada is deeply collective—anchored on consensus, wisdom of elders, and responsibility to future generations.

Gratitude to the IKSP Team and the Community

I extend my warmest and sincerest thanks to the IKSP Team of Mountain Province, assigned to my Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) application, led by Bryan Chris Donggayao, together with Ma’am Magwa and the rest of the team. Their guidance ensured that every process was aligned not only with legal requirements, but more importantly, with cultural protocols.

My deepest respect also goes to the elders and Barangay Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) of Sagada, who welcomed the research, asked critical questions, and ultimately allowed the study to proceed. Their trust is something I carry with great responsibility.

Research Beyond Paper and Theory

My research on Indigenous Methods of Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution seeks to document and understand how communities like Sagada sustain peace—not through imposed systems, but through time-tested practices rooted in kinship, dialogue, restitution, and collective accountability.

Being physically present in the community reminded me that peacebuilding is lived daily—in conversations, in assemblies, and in the way disagreements are resolved with dignity rather than force.

A Meaningful Milestone

This Sagada field visit stands as one of the most meaningful milestones in my research journey. It reaffirmed why Indigenous-led research must always be participatory, respectful, and accountable to the very communities whose knowledge we seek to understand.

I leave Sagada with gratitude, clarity, and a renewed commitment to ensure that this research honors the voices, wisdom, and peace traditions entrusted to me.

Research begins with consent—but it is sustained by respect.