The Tarlac State University – Center for Peace, Indigenous Peoples Resource and Development (CPIPRD) convened a coordination meeting with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – Tarlac Provincial Office to discuss the Work and Financial Plan (WFP) for the collaborative research on Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP).
The meeting focused on aligning research implementation strategies, timelines, and budget allocations between TSU and NCIP, ensuring the project’s compliance with ethical and cultural standards in working with Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs).
Present during the meeting were TSU researchers Dr. Maria Elena David, Dr. Aloysius Madriaga, Dr. Agnes Macaraeg, Dr. Raffy Aganon, Dr. Cecilia Padilla, Atty. Ruby Rose Vinluan, Engr. Romel Gadia, Prof. Juvy Galamay, Mr. Howard Aries Ronquillo, Ms. Remar Salvador, and Mr. Khalifa Mark Balmores. Also in attendance were Mr. Jasper Yauder, Budget Officer of TSU, and Atty. Sharmaine Valenzuela, Legal Officer of NCIP Tarlac.
Atty. Sharmaine Valenzuela, Legal Officer of NCIP Tarlac, presented the proposed WFP in accordance with NCIP Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012, or the “Guidelines on the Conduct of Research and Documentation of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) and Customary Laws.” She emphasized that, under said order, necessary expenses of the IKSP Team shall be shouldered by the institution conducting the research. Her presentation also underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity and adherence to the Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process as mandated under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA).
During the discussion, Mr. Jasper Yauder, Budget Officer of NCIP Tarlac, recommended several practical adjustments to the proposed WFP to promote efficiency and fiscal prudence. He suggested that instead of allotting separate funds for transportation fares, researchers should utilize the TSU Motorpool for fieldwork mobility. Similarly, he proposed that food provisions be coordinated with the university to reduce redundant costs and streamline resource utilization.
Furthermore, Mr. Yauder advised that the team be paid in a lump sum to streamline administrative procedures and ensure prompt compensation during field activities. This proposal was supported by Atty. Valenzuela, who confirmed that it aligned with the financial protocols outlined in NCIP guidelines for joint research projects.
Among the research projects awaiting the Notice to Proceed (NTP) from the Office of the University Research and Development (OURD) are:
𝑼𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒐-𝑬𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒚𝒕𝒂𝒔 𝑨𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒕, 𝑺𝒂𝒏 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒄
𝑨 𝑴𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓, 𝑬𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒚𝒕𝒂 𝑨𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒕, 𝑺𝒂𝒏 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒄
𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒖𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒚𝒕𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒕, 𝑺𝒂𝒏 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒄
𝑨𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎/𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒚𝒕𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑴𝒂𝒂𝒎𝒐𝒕, 𝑺𝒂𝒏 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒆, 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒂𝒄: 𝑰𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
These studies aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Ayta Abelling community’s cultural identity, governance, and well-being, serving as a foundation for inclusive policy-making and culturally grounded development initiatives.
The meeting concluded with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration toward the preservation, promotion, and protection of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices in Tarlac.
