This International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, take a look at this recently concluded activity of the BD Corridor together with other agencies:
The DENR-UNDP/GEF-funded Mindoro Biodiversity Corridor (MBC) Project participated in the launch of the Hapag Katutubo Project, themed “Katutubo, Katuwang sa Pag-Unlad para sa Masaganang Bagong Pilipinas,” held on July 30, 2024, at So. Cupang, Brgy. Waygan, Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro. This initiative aims to address critical national issues related to food security, poverty alleviation, and climate change mitigation.
The launch featured a series of commitment statements from various government agencies and academic institutions. Mr. Ariel Erasga of the Biodiversity Corridor Project National Project Management Unit emphasized the vital role of biodiversity in ensuring food security. He outlined the project’s activities, including sustainable land and forest management and biodiversity-friendly enterprises that support this objective.
NCIP MIMAROPA RD Pascua presented the Hapag Katutubo Project, highlighting its focus on addressing food security and malnutrition, particularly within indigenous communities in Oriental Mindoro and the broader MIMAROPA region. Her presentation underscored the collaborative efforts of various government agencies and local government units, acknowledging the BD Corridor’s contribution to the project’s success. NCIP Oriental Mindoro Provincial Officer Joemer M. Samong provided a comprehensive overview of the Hapag Katutubo Project. The event concluded with the turnover of garden tools to sitio leaders from Brgy. Waygan and a ceremonial tree planting to commemorate the launch.
This launch represents a significant advancement in sustainable development and food security, emphasizing the empowerment of indigenous communities through inter-agency collaboration. According to RD Pascua, this event is the first of several planned launches throughout the MIMAROPA Region, with future events scheduled for the municipality of Calintaan in Occidental Mindoro, as well as in the provinces of Palawan and Romblon.
The project is spearheaded by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – MIMAROPA Region, under the leadership of Regional Director Marie Grace T. Pascua, in collaboration with the Pampamayanang Mangyan Ugnayan Inc. (PMUI), led by Executive Director Ms. Juvilyn V. Gumal-in.
The event was attended by various government officials and local leaders, including Regional Director Leonardo C. Reynoso from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), representatives from the National Nutrition Council-MIMAROPA, the Provincial Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Also present were members of the Mansalay Municipal Local Government Unit (MLGU), the Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) Waygan, the President and faculty members of Mindoro State University (MinSU), Mr. Ariel Erasga of the Biodiversity Corridor Project National Project Management Unit (NPMU), and the MBC Project Management Unit (PMU) led by Project Manager Abe R. Francisco. The indigenous Mangyan Hanunuo community, who are the primary beneficiaries of the project, also participated.