Casiguran, Aurora – On January 17, 2024, the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Deputy Administrator, and members of the Executive Committee held a consultative meeting with the Indigenous People Community Chieftains. The current management thrust to diversify tourism products available in the Ecozone was balanced with the need to respect and protect the customs and traditions of the IP Communities. PCEO Taway presented the various initiatives that are being launched by the Ecozone, beginning with a Cultural Mapping to be conducted on January 25-26 which shall focus on identifying tangible and intangible heritage sites. Key IP representatives were: Dada Vita Banayad, Regina Eneria, Zyra Dela Cruz, Tersing Bitigan, Leverito Tulio, Jerome Gonzales, and IPMR Armando Dela Cruz.
This initial meeting also highlighted the need for increased partnership and cooperation with the IP Communities, and PCEO Taway assured them of their continued involvement with APECO. “Kailangan po tayo ay magkakasamang uunlad. Hindi po pwede na kapag dadami ang ating investor ay sila-sila o kami-kami lang ang aasenso. Dapat po tayong lahat ay makakadama ng pagunlad” was the rallying cry of PCEO Taway.
“Sa tagal na po ng APECO, ngayon lang po kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na makausap naming ang Pangulo [ng APECO] ng ganito na sinasama kami sa pag-paplano.” they said in response to the consultative approach of current management. APECO is likewise expanding its Corporate Social Responsibility programs and has identified priority projects along with the chieftains on Education and Water facilities in the San Ildefonso Peninsula that comprises most of APECO Parcel 2.