National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region VI & VII

𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗜–𝗩𝗜𝗜 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝘆. 𝗞𝗶𝗺 𝗦𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗮

The NCIP Region VI–VII family warmly welcomes Atty. Kim Sazon Hortillosa on his appointment as Attorney IV / Provincial Legal Officer of NCIP Iloilo Provincial Office.

We are honored to have you join the NCIP Family and look forward to your leadership, expertise, and dedication in advancing the rights and welfare of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

May your tenure be filled with meaningful accomplishments and continued success in public service.

Atty. Kim, we wish you all the best in your new role.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗿. 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗟. 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗮ñ𝗮 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗜 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻/𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿.

Your dedication, commitment, and hard work in serving Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples have earned you this significant achievement. May this new position bring greater opportunities for professional growth and continued success in your service to the community.

Wishing you all the best as you take on your new responsibilities.

Congratulations and more power! 🎉👏

LOOK | NCIP En Banc Approves Proposed Establishment of Regional Office in Negros Island Region

May 25, 2026 - Iloilo City - The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) En Banc approved the establishment of the NCIP Regional Office for Negros Island Region (NIR), as an important step to strengthen programs and services for Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the region.

In the deliberation conducted by En Banc, six (6) Commissioners voted in favour of the approval of the new regional office, in response to the growing need for closer, faster, and efficient service for an estimated 140,000 indigenes in the NIR.

Commissioners Marie Grace Pascua, Alex Centena, Purisimo Tiam, Rhodex Valenciano, Alberto Lagamon, and Datu “Amarillo” Marcelo Alejo, Jr.

As a collegiate body, the NCIP through the strong leadership and leadership of Secretary and Chairperson Nancy Catamco will persistently approach and deliver the agency's genuine services to the indigenous communities particularly to the NIR.

According to the NCIP, it will carry out the development of complete documentation including the organizational structure, staffing pattern, and operation details of the new regional office to be complete and in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the evaluation and allocation of corresponding funds.

All technical, legal, and budgetary requirements must be completed and finalized before submitting to the DBM to ensure the immediate approval of the required funds for the operation of the office, in accordance with existing government budget rules.

The installation of the NCIP-NIR Regional Office is expected to boost the implementation of programs such as ancestral domain protection, cultural preservation, social justice, and other key services for ICCs/IPs throughout Negros Island.

NCIP will continue to focus on ensuring that the new office in the region is orderly, legal, and sustainable to meet the needs of indigenous people in the region. A further announcement will be made once the DBM has completed and approved the required budget and relevant documents.

“Prosperous Indigenous Peoples: Backbone of National Development”

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CADT of Iraynon in Valderrama, Antique, Approved!

Valderrama, Antique — The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) has been officially approved for the Iraynon Indigenous Cultural Community of Valderrama, Ancient, marking a historic achievement in recognizing and protecting their rights on ancestral land.

The approved ancestral domain covers a total of 2,532 hectares benefiting 431 indigenous rights holders (IP rights holders) and 5 non-native (non-IP) residents within the area.

In the deliberation process led by Commissioner Marie Grace Pascua, CADT proponents and the community exchanged enlightenment. Commissioner Rhodex Valenciano insisted that the boundaries and scope of the application should be transparent, especially the mountains that are under the CADT territory.

Commissioner Purisimo Tiam also had a question about the source of light or electricity in the area. According to the community, it's from solar energy. It was also noted that the health center is far from the area, but the community is hopeful for the arrival of health assistance and energy supplies in the future.

Commissioner Datu “Amarillo” Marcelo Alejo, Jr. who is still on a trip to Iloilo, and while the session is going on, extended his commitment to help the community.

After thorough clarification, Commissioner Valenciano made a motion for approval, which was supported by Commissioner Tiam. With this, CADT is officially approved for the Iraynon ancestral domain.

After the presiding officer announced the approval, IP leaders were overwhelmed with emotion. After a long time of waiting, they got tears of joy and success, finally, they got the CADT that they fought for so long for their ancestral land.

They are very grateful to the Commission headed by NCIP Secretary and Chairperson Nancy Catamco.

“Prosperous Indigenous Peoples: Backbone of National Development”

𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐏 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐬𝐤𝐚𝐲𝐚 𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐓 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧; 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭 𝟑𝟎 𝐓𝐚𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐤𝐚

Iloilo City — Pormal nang pinagtibay ng National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) sa pamamagitan ng 10th Commission na pinamumunuan ni Secretary and Chairperson Nancy Catamco, ang pag-apruba sa aplikasyon para sa Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) ng Eskaya Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) ng lalawigan ng Bohol, bilang pagkilala sa kanilang karapatan sa lupaing ninuno alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 8371 o Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA).

Aktibong lumahok sa En Banc deliberation ang mga Komisyoner na sina Rhodex Valenciano, Marie Grace Pascua, Alex Centena, Purisimo Tiam, Datu “Amarillo” Marcelo Alejo Jr., at Alberto Lagamon, na sama-samang tumalakay at umantabay sa pag-usad ng aplikasyon ng Eskaya CADT.

Sa deliberasyon, ipinahayag ni Commissioner Rhodex Valenciano ang kanyang buong suporta sa hangarin ng Eskaya ICCs/IPs na makamit ang kanilang CADT na binubuo ng humigit-kumulang 3,106.3839 hectares. Samantala, binigyang-diin naman ni Commissioner Alex Centena ang kahalagahan ng pagpapatibay sa aplikasyon bilang pagkilala na natugunan nito ang mga kinakailangang legal at procedural requirements.

Nagpahayag din ng kanilang pagsang-ayon at suporta ang iba pang miyembro ng 10th Commission, na kalaunan ay humantong sa opisyal na pag-apruba ng En Banc sa Eskaya CADT application. Ito ay nagsisilbing mahalagang pagkilala sa karapatan ng Eskaya ICCs/IPs sa kanilang ancestral domain, alinsunod sa umiiral na batas at mga kinakailangang dokumento para sa post-approval issuance process.

Matapos ang anunsyo, nagpahayag ng labis na tuwa at emosyonal na pasasalamat ang mga kinatawan ng Eskaya ICCs/IPs na dumalo sa deliberasyon, maging ang mga sumubaybay online. Marami ang naantig sa makasaysayang desisyong ito na, ayon sa kanila, ay matagal nang hinihintay na pagkilala sa kanilang identidad, kultura, at lupang ninuno.

Nagpasalamat din si Princess Oral, Regional Director ng NCIP Region VII, sa Commission En Banc para sa positibong aksyon kaugnay ng aplikasyon ng Eskaya ICCs/IPs. Tiniyak niya ang patuloy na suporta ng Regional Office sa mga susunod na hakbang, kabilang ang kompletong dokumentasyon, koordinasyon sa mga kaukulang ahensya, at pagpapadali sa pormal na pag-isyu ng CADT.

Sa loob ng mahigit tatlong dekada, patuloy na ipinaglaban ng Eskaya ICCs/IPs ang pormal na pagkilala sa kanilang lupang ninuno. Sa ilalim lamang ng 10th Commission ng NCIP tuluyang naaprubahan ang kanilang CADT application na isang makasaysayang tagumpay sa kanilang matagal na pakikibaka para sa karapatan at pagkilala bilang mga katutubo sa ilalim ng IPRA.

Bilang pagtatapos, nagpahayag ng taos-pusong pasasalamat ang komunidad ng Eskaya sa buong Komisyon, lalo na kay Secretary Nancy Catamco, na kanilang itinuring na naging instrumento sa pagkamit ng makasaysayang pagkilala sa kanilang karapatan bilang mga katutubo ng Bohol.

“𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙣: 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙖𝙣 𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙖𝙢𝙗𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙆𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙡𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣”

𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗨𝗠 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 (𝗠𝗢𝗔) 𝗦𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚

The NCIP Regional Office VI/VII successfully signed a Memorandum of Agreement with St. Robert’s International College on May 25, 2026 at Robertine Champion Hall, SRIC, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The partnership promotes inclusive, culturally responsive, and community-centered educational programs for Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

Present were Comm. Alex Centena, Comm. Marie Grace T. Pascua, CESO III,; Comm. Purisimo Tiam; Ms.Noel Jeddah Dagumay representing Comm. Datu "Amarillo" Marcelo A. Alejo and Atty. Princess May A. Oral, Regional Director of NCIP Regional Office VI/VII; along with Dr. Robert F. Galindez, President; Ms. Mary June Galindez, Executive Assistant; Dr. Jena P. Basco, Executive Vice President; and Ms. Maria Hope Joy Eudela, Principal of St. Robert’s International College.

NCIP Region VI/VII expresses its sincere gratitude to the Honorable Commissioners for their presence and support, and to St. Robert’s International College for this initiative that uplifts and empowers ICCs/IPs.



📸 Maniniyot De Kampanilya

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘 𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗖𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣-𝗘𝗔𝗣 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝘂𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲.

A proud member of the Bukidnon ICC of Masulog, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, Erica Anne is the daughter of IP Leader Eric Eleccion. Her achievement is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the continuing success of Indigenous Peoples youth in education.

The NCIP proudly celebrates her accomplishment and remains committed to support the educational aspirations of ICCs/IPs.

𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗣 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗔𝗣/𝗠𝗕𝗦𝗣 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗬 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

The NCIP Iloilo Provincial Office, in coordination with the NCIP Regional Office successfully conducted the Orientation and Screening Interview for the Educational Assistance Program (EAP) and Merit-Based Scholarship Program (MBSP) applicants for School Year 2026–2027.

A total of 156 Indigenous Peoples (IP) student-applicants from different municipalities in Iloilo Province participated in the activity conducted in the following venues:

📍 May 5, 2026 – Conference Hall, West Visayas State University Calinog Campus
📍 May 6, 2026 – Liga ng mga Barangay Conference Hall, Lambunao
📍 May 7, 2026 – Liga ng mga Barangay Conference Hall, Alimodian
📍 May 7, 2026 (Afternoon) – Farmers Information and Technology Center, Leon

The activity provided applicants and their parents/guardians with an orientation on the scholarship guidelines, requirements, and responsibilities, followed by the screening interview for qualified applicants.

NCIP continues to support the educational aspirations of Indigenous Peoples youth and to expand access to learning opportunities for ICCs/IPs in the province.