The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) joined forces with the Australian Embassy to strengthen the social protection and gains in gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) programs.
In a statement on Thursday, Aug. 10, the NCIP said the partnership aims to cultivate better social protection mechanisms but also to champion the rights and well-being of indigenous communities across the Philippines.
Under the initiative is the aspiration to cultivate an enabling policy environment and sub-programs that align with Australia's developmental cooperation goals, with a specific focus on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).
NCIP Chair Allen Capuyan underscored the significance of operationalizing the 11 Building Blocks Framework.
He said that this framework envisions resilient, responsive, and relevant ICCs and IPs within their Ancestral Domains and Lands (ADs/ALs), as a possible collaborative framework to provide evidence-based and transformational strategies for the GEDSI program.
Secretary of the Australian Embassy Georgina Harley-Cavanough for her part, commended the presentation delivered.
She reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Australian government to stand alongside the Philippine Government in the effective implementation of GEDSI-related initiatives for ICCs and IPs within the Philippines.
Moreover, NCIP added that Capuyan distributed Project Epanaw Coffee Table Books, the 2022 Annual Accomplishment Report, and a poster outlining the 11 Building Blocks. (Rhowen Del Rosario)