The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to address the socio-economic problems of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

The NCIP is represented by Chairperson Allen A. Capuyan, together with Ethnographic Commissioner for Regions CAR and Region I Gaspar A. Cayat, and OIC-Executive Director Atty. Caesar M. Ortega as witnesses for NCIP.

The Tzu Chi is represented by its Deputy CEO, Auntie Woon Ng, and is joined by Sis Peggy Sy as a witness for Tzu Chi.

The Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines is an International NGO and is one of the 63 country chapters and offices of the Tzu Chi Foundation founded in Taiwan in 1966 by a Buddhist nun, Dharma Master Cheng Yen.

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines is duly recognized and awarded with Level 3 – “Center of Excellence” accreditation as a Social Work Agency by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The Foundation is highly known for its wide range of humanitarian missions ranging from Charity Services, Disaster Relief Programs, Medical Assistance Programs, Livelihood Programs, Education and Scholarship Programs, Humanistic Culture, and Environmental Protection.

For many years and in various circumstances, the Tzu Chi Foundation has been helping various ICCs/IPs by providing educational assistance, housing, livelihood, medical, and disaster relief, among others.

The NCIP and Tzu Chi Philippines have both agreed to build a stronger alliance and have full support for the proposed partnership arrangements through a MOA to provide socio-economic services and other projects that would boost the economic development and social progress of the ICCs/IPs.

NCIP turned over Project Epanaw’s Three (3) Coffee Table Books (CTBs) and 2020-2021 Annual Accomplishment Reports (AARs) to the Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines.

After the MOA Signing, Tzu Chi Foundation conducted a facility tour with the NCIP representatives at Cordilllera, Sta. Mesa, Manila.