A partnership between and among the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Social Economy Action Research (SEARCH) Foundation, and Bayan Academy for Social Entrepreneurship and Human Resource Development or simply Bayan Academy has been sealed through a Memorandum of Agreement that will promote community-based social entrepreneurship, expand the capacities of the ICCs/IPs, and mobilize the communities to gain inclusive communal business development toward building a more effective social economy within the Ancestral Domains.

NCIP OIC-Executive Director Atty. Caesar M. Ortega, together with Ethnographic Commissioner for Central Mindanao Bo-i Jennifer Pia “Limpayen” Sibug-Las, represented the NCIP and served as witnesses.

Mr. Ramon Jocson, a Trustee of the SEARCH Foundation and Bayan Academy represented their Chairperson, Prof Francisco Bernardo III in the MOA signing. He is joined by Mr. Paul Andrei D. Medina who represented Mr. John Xavier C. Francia, the Executive Director of SEARCH Foundation, and Mr. Basil Ronald R. Soriao, the Executive Director of Bayan Academy. The NCIP Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan graced the event and delivered his message of gratitude and commitment via zoom.

After the MOA Signing, the NCIP turned over Project Epanaw’s Three (3) Coffee Table Books (CTBs) and 2020-2021 Annual Accomplishment Reports (AARs) to SEARCH Foundation and Bayan Academy.