The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission on Indigenous People (ECIP) Consultation Meeting organized by the University of Santo Tomas IPA-IP, in collaboration with the UST Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (GS-CCCPET) was held at the UST Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati Building on September 20, 2022.
The meeting provided a forum for indigenous representatives to discuss current challenges and issues confronting their respective communities. Furthermore, it focused on exploring areas of concern that could serve as a guide for creating a tailored-fit approach that will assist these indigenous communities in achieving their own vision of development.
Critical concerns relating to indigenous communities served as themes in the National Assembly of the CBCP-ECIP Network in November 2022, which was attended by twenty representatives including Bishop Valentin Dimoc, D.D., Chair of the CBCP-ECIP and Bishop of the Prelature of Lagawe; Mr. Tony Abuso, Secretary-General of the CBCP-ECIP; Fr. Renerio Sabuga of Cagayan de Oro; Fr. Gabby Oybad of Mangyan Mission- Calapan, Oriental Mindoro; Pablito Gonzales of Diocese of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental; Mr. Jose Paje of Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; and Mr. Jonathan Camanso of Negros Occidental.
Academic representatives from University of Santo Tomas were Dr. Eric Zerrudo, Dr. Joan Christi Bagaipo, Dr. Pablito Baybado Jr., Dr. Chito Sawit, Dr. Philip Fuentes, and Dr. Marites Rano Redoña.
