Photo: Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, APECO President and Chief Executive Officer, discussing the developmental goals of APECO's updated masterplan with the indigenous leaders of San Ildefonso.
(25 March 2025, Casiguran) - Alongside the historic Indigenous Peoples Leaders’ Consultative Meeting (IPLCM), the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) convened separately the Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) chieftains and leaders with communities within the economic zone specifically from the San Ildefonso Peninsula. Tackling and resolving pressing IP issues and concerns, the meeting improved the renewed relationship between the investment promotion agency and local IP communities which APECO envisions to become the backbone of the region’s progress.
As APECO continues to work hand–in-hand with the IP communities, the meeting allowed the Casiguran-based investment promotion agency to share its immediate and long-term plans as it pursues industry development for the region. Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, APECO President and Chief Executive Officer, assured the IP leaders and chieftains that any development within the economic zone will not proceed without consulting the IP community and more importantly reiterated the agency’s unyielding support towards protecting the IP’s rights and ancestral domain.
The discussions, facilitated by Mr. Randy O. Salo, Provincial Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), and Ms. Zyrah Dela Cruz, Municipal IPMR, underscored the unified efforts of the indigenous settlements in advocating for their ancestral domain rights as well as the preservation of their rich cultural heritage and way of life. Engr. Mark C. Basilio, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Aurora CDO III, reported the successful issuance of the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) for the IPs which for years had stalled and only proceeded when the current administration of APECO supported it.
While the IP leaders and chieftains understood the need for industry development, they affirmed their commitment to safeguarding their traditions while engaging in constructive discussions with the economic zone. Another key recommendation as a result of this was that the APECO Masterplan, which is currently being updated and redeveloped, would take into consideration the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSPP) of the different settlements and communities. Atty. Taway welcomed the recommendation and shared that two of APECO’s Masterplan’s main objectives are to generate job opportunities for the IPs and for any development initiative within the economic zone to uphold the aspirations of the IP communities.
