The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region 3 successfully launched the Indigenous Peoples’ Culturally Responsive Socio-Economic, Agro-Aqua Technology, Ecology and Special Services (IP-CREATESS) through Integrated Ancestral Domain Development Approach (IADDA) of the Ayta Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) of Sitio Pawen, Barangay Aglao, San Marcelino, Zambales. Coined as Project Alapaan, this IP CREATESS IADDA is a convergence mechanism for the Ayta ICCs to engage other development stakeholders and partners. Attending the launching in solidarity are:1.Department of Agriculture (DA) through the San Marcelino Municipal Agriculturist Office (MAO);2.Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Zambales;3.Department of Environment and Natural Resources through the Zambales Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO);4.Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Zambales;5.Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Zambales;6.70th Infantry Battalion, 7ID of the Philippine Army;7.Local Government Unit (LGU) of Municipality of San Marcelino through the Office of the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR); and8.Local Government Unit (LGU) of Barangay Aglao.The launching also served as a stakeholders forum where partners presented their commitments to the Project Alapaan. Based on their mandates, the National Government Agencies (NGA) and LGUs had a fruitful dialogue with the Ayta ICC leaders present in today’s activity. NCIP R3 Regional Director Atty. Roland Calde thanked all the convergence partners present on the occasion and challenged them to genuinely engage the Ayta ICCs in San Marcelino, and fulfill their commitments in achieving Ayta’s total community development. Director Calde emphasized that the Indigenous Peoples are not mere beneficiaries but are active partners and prime movers of every Government program, activity, and project. With initial funding of Php 945,000.000 from the NCIP this year, Project Alapaan is complemented by another Php 5,000,000.00 from DA for agricultural, livelihood, and post-harvest processing infrastructure also this year. Through the pioneering IADDA, the Ayta ICC aims to further boost support from other development partners.The Ayta leaders gave updates on other ongoing Project Alapaan components such as the spring water small infrastructure. Also discussed in the activity are ways forward for the formulation of the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) and the perimeter survey of the Ayta Ancestral Domain. Today’s activity ended with initial training on tilapia production delivered by BFAR to support the aquaculture component of the project.Today’s launching was hosted by NCIP Zambales Provincial Office headed by Mr. Randy Bernales, and NCIP San Marcelino Community Service Center headed by OIC Mr. Ira Encinares.