Photo: APECO Officials and Employees together with the local chieftains of different settlements and barangays in Casiguran.
(30 April 2025, Casiguran) - The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) recently supported a Capacity Building Workshop on the Formulation of Resolution and Ordinances, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to inclusive development and the empowerment of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Casiguran. The Workshop convened community stakeholders, policy advocates, and local chieftains of IP communities belonging to different settlements and barangays to strengthen governance within their communities and participation in the policy making process of the LGU.
Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, a staunch advocate for the indigenous people's inclusion as part of his transformative governance initiative and the leading voice in APECO’s IP-focused initiatives, served as the guest speaker for the event. In his address, Atty. Taway IV underscored the agency’s enduring support for Casiguran’s IP communities, emphasizing that sustainable development must be anchored in respect for ancestral domains, cultural heritage, and indigenous people’s self-determination.
Under Atty. Taway IV’s leadership, APECO has launched several initiatives and efforts that uplift and recognize the rights of indigenous peoples communities. A landmark achievement was the agency’s formal endorsement on the IP communities’ application for Certificate of Ancestral Domain Titles (CADT)—a crucial step in securing land tenure, preserving heritage, and reinforcing the autonomy of indigenous peoples over their land.
To further institutionalize its commitment, APECO has established dedicated support mechanisms such as the IP Desk staffed by IP Chieftains and an IP Lounge. These culturally attuned spaces within the APECO’s Administration Building serve as platforms for dialogue, consultation, and service delivery tailored to indigenous needs — ensuring that IP voices are heard and respected in all levels of planning and operations.
Demonstrating its collaborative approach to governance, APECO is also advancing a joint development model with local IP chieftains. This collaborative model ensures that indigenous leaders are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their lands, resources, and way of life—placing them at the center of APECO’s development agenda.
This strategic partnership not only complies with national laws on IP rights but also upholds the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). Through sustained dialogue, legal empowerment, and capacity building, APECO is setting a precedent for economic development that honors and amplifies indigenous voices.
By weaving cultural integrity into its vision of progress, APECO continues to build a future where economic growth and indigenous empowerment move forward—hand in hand.
