Kalinga launches codified 'Pagta' peace pact

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Upholding the indigenous and traditional practices of maintaining harmony and peace in the land, the Provincial Government of Kalinga officially launched the codified Kalinga Pagta.

The Kalinga Pagta (or pag-ta) is the written codification of the Bodong (peace pact) and serves as the binding customary law of the Kalinga people in the Philippines. The Bodong agreement is established between two or more tribes or sub-tribes of Kalinga to prevent hostilities between them.

The launching was held on February 9, 2026, at the Kalinga Sports Center in Tabuk City.

The 137-page document serves as a comprehensive written record of the customary laws of the Kalinga people, designed to resolve tribal disputes and maintain provincial stability. The event marked the culmination of years of extensive community consultations and collaborative efforts between government agencies and indigenous leaders to transition these traditions from oral to written form.

Kalinga Governor James Edduba led the ceremony alongside municipal mayors, tribal elders, and community representatives, who expressed unanimous support for the initiative. During the launching, traditional practices such as the Uggayam (indigenous spontaneous chant) were performed, along with a detailed presentation on the historical phases and rationale behind the development of the codified laws. Local leaders viewed the formal binding of these customs as a monumental step for regional peace and order, ensuring that ancestral wisdom is preserved in a modern format.

The creation of the Kalinga Pagta involved a strategic partnership between the Office of the Provincial Legal Officer, the Kalinga Bodong Council of Elders, and the Matagoan Bodong Consultative Council. Technical and legal support was provided by Kalinga State University, the Public Attorney’s Office, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. These organizations worked together to finalize the contents and design, ensuring the document accurately reflects indigenous knowledge while remaining relevant to contemporary governance and official legal frameworks.

Edduba clarified that the Pagta is intended to complement national laws rather than contradict them. He described the codification as a bridge between indigenous justice systems and formal government institutions, emphasizing that regional progress must honor cultural identity. The governor noted that the document serves as a reinforcement of the shared pursuit of justice and stands as a symbol of the enduring strength and richness of the Kalinga heritage.

Representative Carolyn Agyao Mangaoang, through former Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, highlighted that these written laws provide essential protection for families and future generations. The gathering, attended by various officials and elders, concluded with the recognition of the Kalinga Pagta as a lasting reference for unity and harmony. By institutionalizing these customary laws, the province aims to ensure accountability and preserve a vibrant cultural identity that will guide peace-building mechanisms for years to come.