CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Thieza Verdijo Clarito, deputy director of the Xavier Science Foundation (XSF), highlighted the connection between aiding Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities and conserving the environment.

During the Earth Month episode of Talakayan sa PIA, Clarito emphasized that IPs residing at the foothills of Mt. Kalatungan in Bukidnon can uphold environmental conservation by offering them sustainable livelihood opportunities.

“They also really need the support, they have the resources, meaning they also have the traditional skills/indigenous skills pero [but] sometimes like for example in coffee, gusto nila ibaligya ilang kape kay nakatanum man sila pero asa man ang merkado [they want to sell their coffee because they have planted it but where is the market?]” she stated.

She emphasized that their role is to aid in the establishment of sustainable livelihoods for the communities.

One of the IP groups supported by XSF is the Manggayahay Talaandig Tribal Association (MANTALA), Inc. which produces coffee and handicraft items using indigenous materials such as ropes, bags, or baskets.

“For us as NGOs, we also partner with government agencies especially kay kinahanglan gyud man kung dako-dako ang gusto nga magpadayon ang ilang development [because if there is a need to go big and continue their development], then we also need support and I think the government agencies can really provide that,” she said.

The Forest Fest 2024 in Cagayan de Oro featured innovative ideas and activities aimed at strengthening the culture and livelihood of IPs while conserving the forests.

The highlight of the event was the Forest Impact Accelerator, where social entrepreneurs pitched their innovative projects aimed at protecting the forests and empowering forest communities.

The Bayawon Lucday Lungayan Pendonay Tribal Association (BLLUPENTTRAS), Inc., and Manggayahay Talaandig Tribal Association (MANTALA), Inc., both won project grants worth P100,000 in this pitching competition.

Melba Icap, representing the women's association of MANTALA Inc. in Valencia City, Bukidnon, revealed that their group has grown to 53 members from its initial 14. Despite producing a range of items such as handicrafts, bags, and baskets, their most popular product remains coffee.

“Tarongon nato atong kabataan pagdala aron mapadayon nila ang maayong binuhatan ilabina gyud sa kinaiyahan. Ang kinaiyahan mao gyud among simbahan, mao pud na’y among botika, mao pud na among pang sud-an,” she said.

(We should take good care of our youth in the way we teach them how to continue doing good deeds, especially to Mother Earth. Our mother earth is our church, it is also our drug store, it is also where we get food to eat)

Meanwhile, Clarito stressed the importance of government laws and policies on the environment where she explained, "The challenge for many of our institutions is to stay committed or remain committed in our policies and laws."

She recalled the dreadful experience of typhoon Sendong where so many lives were lost. “If there are areas that are considered no-build zones, then nganung naa may mga balay nga naa didto[then why are there houses there]?”

She further emphasized the need for discussions on climate change and heed the recommendations of studies, particularly those related to the environment. She stressed the significance of understanding the potential solutions and collaborative efforts among individuals, civil society, organizations, and government agencies to address these challenges together. (JMOR, PIA Region 10)