In the coastal and mountainous reaches of Barangay Dibut, San Luis, Aurora, where the waves of life are dictated by the ebb and flow of the sea, UP Kalilayan—a student-led provincial organization based in the University of the Philippines, Diliman—will roll out this year’s iteration of one of its flagship projects, the Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series (NEEDS 2026).

Carrying the theme: “TAIB-HIBAS: A community outreach for the Dumagat Fisherfolk of Brgy. Dibut, San Luis, Aurora,” the project is set to launch on May 10, 2026 and aims to implement a community outreach program designed alongside the Dumagat fisherfolk.

For generations, fishing has been the backbone of livelihood for the Dumagat community in Dibut, yet despite their collective labor and deep knowledge of the sea, many fisherfolk continue to struggle with limited access to fishing equipment.

The remoteness of their location, situated at the foot of the mountain and away from commercial centers, compounds this challenge as procuring supplies is both costly and time-consuming, especially amid rising oil prices. This often forces reliance on external suppliers, resulting in inflated costs and limited availability.

To address this, the initiative seeks to establish a community-managed store owned, operated, and sustained by the Dumagat Tribal Council. With initial capital provided by UP Kalilayan and construction labor contributed by the Tribal Council, the store will supply affordable fishing gear and essential materials directly within the community.

More than just a point of access, the community enterprise is envisioned as a mechanism for self-determination to enable the community to take charge of its economic future. Revenue generated will sustain operations and fund other local development projects.

The program also includes a full day of community immersion and knowledge-sharing activities, with two key discussions: one on financial management to equip tribal leaders and fisherfolk with skills to sustain the enterprise, and two aimed for Dumagat youth to encourage leadership within the community.

UP Kalilayan members will undergo a pre-event orientation on the socio-political realities of the Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines, and will also visit the fisherfolk’s workspaces to take part in communal exchange to ground the initiative in cultural sensitivity and informed engagement that will allow for a more nuanced understanding of their daily realities and challenges.

In support of the Dumagat community, UP Kalilayan is also opening its Piso Mula sa Puso campaign, a donation drive to help fund the initiative. Interested donors may reach out via email at [email protected] or through the official Facebook page of the Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series.

In essence, NEEDS 2026 emphasizes the need to shift from traditional models of community development to recognize that meaningful change does not come from external intervention, but in faith that the community has the capability to bring the change they want for themselves.