Photo: Chieftain Maria Gaspar, APECO Community Relations Desk Officer for Migrant Indigenous People, teaching the rice-wine preparation process to the elders of the Dibacong Migrants Tribe.
(1 July 2025, Dibacong, Aurora) - The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) recently held a rice wine making workshop to reinforce its commitment to cultural preservation and inclusive development through community-based initiatives.
APECO Community Relations Desk Officer for Migrant Indigenous Peoples (IPs) Chieftain Marita Gaspar led the rice wine making workshop for the elders of the Dibacong Migrants Tribe.
The workshop focused on reviving the age-old practice of rice wine making—an integral part of many indigenous rituals and social traditions in Dibacong. Chieftain Gaspar comprehensively presented each step of the process, from the preparation of raw materials to fermentation techniques. Her hands-on guidance was met with enthusiastic participation and deep appreciation from the elders, many of whom had long desired to reconnect with their cultural heritage.
This initiative aligns with APECO’s vision of sustainable development that respects indigenous identity and promotes inclusive growth. By empowering local IP communities with ancestral knowledge, APECO ensures that progress in the economic zone does not come at the cost of cultural erosion.
“APECO is not just about infrastructure and business—it is about building a future that honors the past,” APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV said. “Through initiatives like this, we create space for indigenous culture to flourish alongside economic development,” he added.
Beyond cultural revival, the rice wine making workshop also opens potential opportunities for local livelihood and small-scale entrepreneurship. With growing interest in organic and traditional products, rice wine could become a culturally significant product that contributes to the local economy.
The success of the event, marked by active participation and renewed community spirit, affirms the importance of cultural initiatives within APECO’s strategic directions. As APECO continues to strengthen the voice of its IP communities, the integration of indigenous identity into the agency’s development model sets a benchmark for culturally inclusive governance in economic zones.
