PARTNERS FOR GROWTH. Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Taway IV with the indigenous peoples from Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag in Aurora in this undated photo. A lawyer himself, Taway is assisting IPs to obtain their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title from the National Commission on Indigenous People. (Courtesy of APECO)
MANILA – The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is assisting the indigenous peoples (IPs) of Dinalungan, Casiguran, and Dilasag (DiCaDi) in Aurora province to hold a legal document of their ownership and rights over traditional lands and ancestral domains.
In a statement Tuesday, APECO said its President and Chief Executive Officer Gil Taway IV has submitted a formal position paper to the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) reflecting the investment promotion agency’s support for the application for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) of the IPs.
APECO said it will assist in the technical and legal aspects of the application and coordinating closely with the NCIP for the IPs to acquire their CADT.
“The Agtas of DiCaDi have, for generations, served as rightful custodians of their ancestral territory. Their deep-rooted connection to the land is reflected in their traditional practices and way of life,” Taway said.
APECO said the CADT application was pending since 2007.
“By granting the Agtas a CADT, we not only provide them with the formal recognition they deserve but also empower them to sustain their traditions while ensuring that their rights are respected in all future developments within their territory,” he said.
Taway said this initiative aligns with APECO’s vision of promoting balanced and equitable development by attracting economic activities while preserving cultural heritage.
The APECO chief also involves DiCaDi IPs in decision-making process in the ecozone.
“In parallel, APECO remains committed to the sustainable development of DiCaDi and Aurora Province. We firmly believe that recognizing ancestral domains of indigenous communities is a fundamental and crucial step towards realizing this goal,” he said.
“Furthermore, the approval of this CADT application will benefit not only the Agtas of DiCaDi but also will contribute significantly to the broader objectives of sustainable development in the region,” he added. (PNA)
