National Commission on Indigenous Peoples CAR

21/08/2026

NCIP conducts a census and validation of Aeta Hungey households in Capas, Tarlac, to identify Indigenous Peoples potentially affected by the proposed Pax Silica project.

20/08/2026

A validation activity for proposed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – Benguet 1st District Engineering Office projects was conducted on August 20, 2026, at the Municipal Gymnasium, Poblacion, Bokod, Benguet, as part of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process.

The activity was facilitated by the NCIP Bokod Community Service Center, providing an avenue for the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) from the different barangays within the Bokod Ancestral Domain to validate the proposed projects and express their views, concerns, and recommendations regarding projects that may affect their ancestral domain. Present were representatives of the DPWH, LGU of Bokod and SNI-IPO.

The projects presented for validation included the following:
-Construction of Concrete Roads: Poblacion–Karao–Ekip Access Road leading to Mount Purgatory and Baguio–Bontoc Road Junction to Guiweng–Nawal–Tikey–Daklan Road, in support of the coffee and processed food and meat industries; and
-Concreting of the Pilpiloy–Sitio Ambanga-an Road in Barangay Pito, Bokod.

The conduct of the activity highlights the importance of the meaningful participation of ICCs/IPs in projects within or affecting their ancestral domains, consistent with the principles of FPIC and the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA).

20/08/2026

Congratulations!

New IPMR of Poblacion West, Lamut officially took oath.

A meaningful oath-taking ceremony was held to officially install Mr. Peter B. Puguon as the new Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of Poblacion West, Lamut. The ceremony was facilitated by Atty. Mariano B. Buyagawan, Jr., municipal mayor, with the pressence of the other elected officials.

May your term be filled with wisdom, strength, and an unwavering commitment to safeguard our heritage, protect our rights, and serve the community with integrity.

Congratulations IPMR Puguon.

20/08/2026

The Municipal Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) selection for the Municipality of Buguias was successfully conducted on August 19, 2026, at the Socio-Cultural Center in Loo, Buguias, Benguet facilitated by the NCIP Atok Community Service Center.

The activity was attended by the designated selectors representing the municipality’s fourteen (14) barangays, barangay IPMRs, and other community participants who witnessed the selection process. Also in attendance were members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Buguias and Provincial IPMR Benjamin G. Palbusa.

The local guidelines governing the selection were presented and discussed before the nomination proceeded. Mr. Napoleon M. Palasi, the incumbent Municipal IPMR, nominated himself for another term. With no other nominee, his nomination was moved by Mr. Lorenzo Nagayos and duly seconded.

Following the selection process, Mr. Palasi was proclaimed as the reselected Municipal IPMR of Buguias for his third term by Mr. Arwin Angway, head of NCIP Atok CSC, together with the members of the Sangguniang Bayan.

Congratulations, Mr. Palasi, and may your continued service further strengthen the representation and participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Municipality of Buguias!

20/08/2026

NCIP Sabebosa Community Service Center attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a cellsite tower by Philtower Consortium in the Ankileng Ancestral Domain, Sagada, Mountain Province, on August 19, 2026.

The project underwent the required Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC)processes beginning in 2023, facilitated by the respective teams in accordance with Section 24 of the FPIC Guidelines. These processes culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on July 11, 2025, among the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) of Ankileng Ancestral Domain, Philtower Consortium, and the NCIP for the construction of a telecommunications tower in Sagada.

With the commencement of construction, the project is expected to improve cellular coverage and internet connectivity in Mountain Province. This is particularly significant in view of the 43.06% internet pe*******on rate in Mountain Province, as reported by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) during the 2nd Semester Sub-Committee on Communications meeting held on August 14, 2026, at the DICT-CAR Training Center. The cellsite tower is expected to help address connectivity gaps and provide ICCs/IPs and neighboring communities with improved access to communication and digital services.

19/08/2026

A Boundary Conflict Resolution (BCR) meeting between the elders and leaders of Sacasacan, Poblacion, and Demang of Sadanga, and the Tocucan Ancestral Domain, Bontoc, was conducted on August 18, 2026, at the Conference Hall of the DSWD Building, Opokan, Sadanga. Also in attendance were Mayor Robert Wanawan, Vice Mayor Geraldo Ackut Jr., members of the Sangguniang Bayan, PNP personnel, MPDO, MAO, representatives from the Mayor’s Office, and NCIP personnel.

The activity was facilitated by the Provincial Delineation Team (PDT), headed by Ms. Ana Marie Magwa, CDO III and concurrent Acting Provincial Officer, in line with the application of the ICCs/IPs of Tocucan for the delineation and titling of their ancestral domain.

During the meeting, the parties reached an initial agreement on the boundary issues. A draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was also presented. However, both parties agreed that an ocular inspection should first be conducted before the signing of the MOA to validate and confirm the identified boundary points.

The ocular inspection is scheduled on August 26–27, 2026, with 15 representatives from each of the concerned barangays who will proceed to the five identified points for joint validation and confirmation.

The activity reflects the continuing efforts of the parties and the NCIP to resolve boundary concerns through dialogue, consultation, and mutual agreement, toward the proper recognition and protection of ancestral domain rights.

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