August 16, 2023│ National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Chairperson paid a courtesy call to Secretary of Tourism Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco.
The meeting aimed to discuss partnerships with the Department of Tourism in terms of promoting the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) through packaging different ancestral domains as cultural tourism sites. Currently, the DOT is helping selected ICCs/IPs tourism destinations by providing capability building and other assistance to improve the value proposition of indigenous tourism areas.
In response, Secretary Frasco expressed her excitement in the partnership. She highlighted the importance of recognizing and honoring our indigenous heritage through showcasing different ancestral domains as tourism destinations. She underscored that this will be an opportunity for economic growth among ICCs/IPs and to tell the story and the daily-lives of ICCs/IPs, to all Filipinos and to the whole world.
Coincidental to the meeting is the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between NCIP and DOT. The MOA is for the Katutubo – Katuwang sa Pag-Unlad at Pag-Wagi (Katutubo-KAPWA) Project geared to assist indigenous cultural communities (ICCs) and indigenous peoples organizations (IPOs) in tourism development in their respective ancestral domains.
In his message, the Chairperson expressed his gratitude for the continued partnership with DOT. He said that the project is an alliance between the two agencies to provide socio-economic services in the tourism industry and other projects beneficial to ICCs/IPs. In her remarks, Secretary Frasco stressed how important are ICCs/IPs in introducing the Filipino Identity and Brand, through tourism. She expressed commitment to honor ICCs/IPs and provide mechanisms for economic advancement to improve resilience and sustainability among ICCs/IPs.
The Chairperson also took the chance to present NCIP’s Project Epanaw three Coffee Table Books, themed: Pagkilala, Pagtaguyod, and Pag-galang. He discussed the books’ importance to raise awareness on the 4 Bundle of Rights and 36 Specific Rights of ICCs/IPs stipulated in the Indigenous Peoples Act (IPRA) of 1997. He also discussed the 11 Building Blocks and the 13 Economic Drivers for ICCs/IPs.
Also present during the meeting were Dir. Rosanna Lingating of the Office of Policy, Planning and Research, Dir. Mary Grace Buasen of the Office of Education, Culture and Health, Dir. Reynaldo Dingal of the Office of Empowerment and Human Rights, and, Division Chief Glenda Alcantara-Pua of the Office on Socio-Economic Services and Special Concerns.
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