Aligned with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.’s 8-point Socio-Economic Agenda and in support of Open Government Partnerships as outlined in Executive Order No. 31, Series of 2023, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in collaboration with the local government of Tanay, Rizal, launched the Hapag Katutubo Project on July 16, 2024, at the Barangay Laiban Multi-Purpose Covered Court in Tanay, Rizal.
Grounded in the principles of inclusive development, the project themed “Katutubo, Katuwang sa pag-unlad para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas” marks a significant step toward realizing and institutionalizing convergence among various stakeholders from national government agencies, civil society organizations, academia, and private institutions.
The project aims to comprehensively support Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples by enhancing their agricultural productivity and fostering sustainable income generation opportunities for self-sufficiency.
The project was conceptualized through the dedication and passion of Legal Affairs Office Director Atty. Brain Masweng and Michael Bugnosen, with support from NCIP Chairperson Jennifer Pia Sibug-Las, Executive Director Mervyn Espadero, and DILG Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Felicito Valmocina.
Key officials present at the event included DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr.; Valmocina; DILG Asst. Secretary for Community Participation Elizabeth Lopez De Leon; Department of Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Fatima Aliah Dimaporo; Tanay Mayor Hon. Rafael Tanjuatco; Tanay Vice Mayor Hon. Rex Manuel Tanjuatco; and Barangay Laiban Chairman Hon. Antonio A. Estrellado.
Leading the NCIP were Sibug-Las and Espadero, accompanied by representatives from NCIP Region IV-A Office and various NCIP Bureau Offices: Office on Empowerment and Human Rights, Office on Policy, Planning, and Research, Administrative Service, Finance Service, Office on Education, Culture, and Health, Office on Socio-Economic Services and Special Concerns, Ancestral Domains Office, Legal Affairs Office, Foreign Assisted Programs and International Relations Office, and Internal Audit Service.
The event was facilitated and hosted by the NCIP Calabarzon under the leadership of Director Dr. Carlos Buasen, Jr.