MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has partnered with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to uplift the lives and improve the well-being of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the country through social protection efforts.
According to a news release issued Thursday, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has met with NCIP chairperson Allen Capuyan at the NCIP central office in Quezon City Wednesday to explore further ways to improve the implementation of social protection programs for the ICCs/IPs.
The NCIP chair also briefed Gatchalian on the programs, future projects, and mandate of the NCIP, as well as the current landscape and situation of the ICCs/IPs in the Philippines.
Capuyan also highlighted the operationalization of the 11 Building Blocks of Resilient, Responsive, and Relevant ICCs/IPs in Ancestral Domains and strengthening Indigenous Political Structure in the country’s ICCs/IPs.
For his part, Gatchalian commended the NCIP for its efforts and initiatives to attain these building blocks toward boosting the capabilities and potential of ICCs/IPs in nation-building.
“We, however, need to focus on and prioritize the implementation of one building block to ensure significant impact and accomplishment in the medium term,” Gatchalian said.
With this, both officials agreed to activate an Inter-Agency Management Committee among DSWD-supervised and attached agencies to develop relevant programs and policies that will ensure that the welfare and security of ICCs/IPs are respected, recognized, and protected.
This initiative will open a platform for increased collaboration among the agencies. (PNA)