9 August 2023 | The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples took part in Ceremonial Turnover of Abaca Stripping Machines in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. The ceremony is part of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IDWIP) and National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) 2023 celebration.
As part of uplifting the socio-economic status of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs), Six (6) Subanen ICCs/IPs from Zamboanga Del Norte and Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur received Abaca Stripping Machines from Chooks-to-Go and Bounty Fresh represented by Dr. Erasmus J. Paderes, Senior Vice President and Mr. Mike Librando, VP of Regional Head of Mindanao. The machine will help for efficient abaca production and boost the abaca industry of the ICCs/IPs.
The Chooks-To-Go and Bounty Fresh are among the business sector partners of the NCIP, and they have been providing various socio-economic assistance and support such as contract growing businesses (poultry farm), food assistance, relief, etc. in order to help uplift the level of wellbeing of the ICCs/IPs.
Acting Regional Director, Ms. Marita Minao of NCIP Region 9 kickstart the program with an opening and welcome message, followed by a sharing on project rationale by the Acting Bureau Director of OSESSC, Ms. Glenda Alcantara Pua.
The NCIP Chairperson, Mr. Allen Capuyan gave inspiration and motivation to the IP beneficiaries via recorded message. To cap the event, Atty. Pinky Grace Pareja, Ethnographic Commissioner for Northern and Western Mindanao gave a message to express her gratitude for the generosity of the donor, and by the commitment of other government agencies.
Gov. Victor Yu of Zamboanga del Sur, and Congresswoman Divina Grace Yu of the 1st District Zamboanga del Sur graced the event and expressed their commitments to provide additional livelihood and other social support interventions for the ICCs/IPs towards a sustainable abaca industry.
Officials and representatives both from the national, provincial and municipal government agencies, such as DSWD, DTI, DA-4K, DA-PhilFIDA, Province of Zamboanga del Norte, 53IB of the Philippine Army, and the Police Provincial Office also showed support and expressed their commitments for the successful abaca industry of the Subanen ICCs/IPs.
As a token of appreciation, all partners were given sets of Coffee Table Books and NCIP Annual Report 2022.
#NCIPParaSaIP #ParaSaKatutubo
