Village Connect
In line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s 8-point Socio-economic Agenda and to promote Open Government Partnerships as stipulated in Executive Order No. 31 s. 2023, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in collaboration with the Local Government of Tanay, Rizal launched the “Hapag Katutubo Project” on July 16, 2024, at Brgy. Laiban Multi-Purpose Covered Court, Tanay, Rizal.
Anchored in the principles of inclusive development, the project themed “Katutubo, Katuwang sa pag-unlad para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas”, is a step towards the realization and institutionalization of the convergence between various stakeholders from national government agencies (NGAs), civil society organizations (CSOs), academe, and private institutions. The goal of the project is to holistically support the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples by increasing their agricultural productivity and the creation of sustainable opportunities for income generation and self-sufficiency.
The project was conceptualized through the dedication and passion of Legal Affairs Office (LAO) Director Atty. Brain S. Masweng and Mr. Michael G. Bugnosen with support from NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las , Executive Director Mervyn H. Espadero, and DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, Usec. Felicito Valmocina.
Key principals present during the event were DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.; DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs, Usec. Felicito Valmocina; DILG Assistant Secretary for Community Participation, Asec. Elizabeth N. Lopez De Leon; Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Q. Dimaporo; Tanay Mayor, Hon. Rafael Tanjuatco; Tanay Vice Mayor, Hon. Rex Manuel Tanjuatco; and Barangay Laiban Chairman, Hon. Antonio A. Estrellado.
Leading the NCIP were its NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las and Executive Director Mervyn H. Espadero, together with the representatives from the NCIP Region IV-A Office and different NCIP Bureau Offices namely Office on Empowerment and Human Rights (OEHR), Office on Policy, Planning, and Research (OPPR), Administrative Service (AS), Finance Service (FS), Office on Education, Culture, and Health (OECH), Office on Socio-Economic Services and Special Concerns (OSESSC), Ancestral Domains Office (ADO), Legal Affairs Office (LAO), Foreign Assisted Programs and International Relations Office (FAPIRO), and Internal Audit Service (IAS).
The event was made possible and hosted by the Local Government of Tanay, Rizal and NCIP Regional Office – IVA (NCIP Calabarzon) headed by Director Dr. Carlos P. Buasen, Jr.
