National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)—Region III Regional Director Atty. Roman A. Antonio warmly welcomed MCC Kayantabe and the College's Center for Community Research and Innovation (CCCRI) officials on 8 March 2023 to discuss plans of partnership for the empowering of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) through inclusive programs and innovations.
MCC and NCIP both intended to empower Indigenous Peoples through inclusive and innovative programs. Hence, MCC initiated the I-PEACE Program to recognize and fulfill the rights of the Indigenous Peoples within the community. MCC sought support from the NCIP to promote and further assistance to the IPs through MCC I-PEACE CONNECT.
Collaboration for MCC’s I-PEACE CONNECT support program, Balakat Project, and other initiatives for the community were the focus of the meeting. Ms. Carol R. Arboleda, Kayantabe Manager, Ms. Marilyn Gomez, Partnership and External Relations Officer, and Mr. James Darwin Lagman, Director of the Center for Community Research and Innovation, represented MCC.
Atty. Antonio expressed his dedication to working with MCC to aid the community, particularly the Indigenous Peoples. He believed that a program like this provides the means to educate and improve the lives of IPs. He also expressed enthusiasm about signing a Memorandum of Agreement with MCC. "No one will do it for them except a program like this. Let’s work together and educate our IPs so that they can live a dignified life," noted Atty. Antonio.
This partnership is a significant step towards empowering indigenous communities and promoting inclusivity. MCC is committed to continuing its work towards creating a more equitable society and improving the services it provides to cater to the community.
For more information regarding the MCC I-Peace Program, you may check this link:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=497988039211546&id=100070010634474&mibextid=Nif5oz
