Former IP critics of APECO now among its strongest supporters

(10 July 2025, Casiguran, Aurora) — After decades of exclusion, several Indigenous Peoples (IP) community leaders in Casiguran are now standing in support of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority’s (APECO) vision and renewed direction as the current leadership embraces  transformative governance to give all stakeholders a voice in deciding the economic zone’s future.

During the opening of APECO Week 2025 on 09 July, 2025, IP and community leaders shared how their perception of APECO changed since APECO President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV took over in October 2023.

IP Chieftains’ Association of Casiguran Local Government Unit President Mr. Jerome Gonzales said APECO had earned his trust following the agency’s efforts to assist the IPs in acquiring their Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), some of which had been pending since 2007.

“Isa rin ako sa mga hesitant na pumasok sa APECO during the previous years,” Mr. Gonzales said in his message during the APECO Week 2025.

“Kung may doubt pa ako, 20 percent na lang. Nasa passing rate na. Kasi nanguna ang APECO para mailabas na ang titulo ng ancestral domain… Sa kalaunan, tayo po ay magkakaroon ng negosasyon para maging maayos ang samahan ng bawat isa, dahil kami po ay umaasa sa inklusibong pag-unlad na kasama po kami,” he added.

Dibet Barangay Captain Jesus O. Cezar also shared that he was one of the most vocal critics when APECO started 18 years ago, even sharing that he joined anti-APECO rallies before.

“Noong nag-umpisa ang APECO, isa ako sa number one na naging critic ng APECO,” Capt. Cezar said, “Ngayon po, isang malaking pasalamat at malaki iyong inyong pagtingin at tiwala sa mga katutubo.”

Under PCEO Taway’s leadership, APECO has undergone a major transformation, earning the trust of local Dumagat, Agta, and other IP groups, who for years expressed concerns over exclusion and lack of consultation.

Among the initiatives of APECO in strengthening its relationship with the IP communities are the establishment of an IP Desk in its headquarters, PCEO Taway’s quarterly consultations with IP communities, assisting them to acquire their CADT, and increasing employment opportunities through the “Bantay Gubat” program, or environmental stewards to safeguard ecological areas within and around the ecozone.

In fact, APECO’s IP Desk Head Regina Eneria, an Agta leader, was among the strongest critics of the investment promotion agency.

Ms. Eneria recalled that her strong opposition to APECO in the past was rooted in the lack of consultation and communication between the previous management and the indigenous communities.

“Ako po noon, matindi akong kaaway ng APECO. Totoo po ‘yon. Noon, galit ako sa APECO,” she said, adding that the absence of dialogue and transparency led to fear and uncertainty among her fellow Agta—fear that they would be excluded from development plans or worse, displaced from their ancestral lands.

“Pero tama po kayo Pres. (Taway), na ‘yong lupa, ang karagatan, bigay ni Lord para sa lahat. Subalit may mga tao Siyang itinalaga para mag-alaga doon para nandoon ‘yong respeto sa lahat,” she said.

“Hindi po masasabing hindi nakatulong ang APECO. Nakakatulong po siya talaga,” she said, adding that their salary helped them in sending their children to school.

Mr. Gonzales, Capt. Cezar, and Ms. Eneria shared that their communities now feel that they are being seen and heard.

Aurora IP Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Randy Salo and Casiguran IPMR Casiguran Zyra Dela Cruz also graced the APECO Week 2025 and expressed their statement of support to APECO.

“The Bagong APECO is not just a change in leadership—it’s a change in mindset. We listen first, we always consult, and we act together with the communities,” PCEO Taway emphasized.

This renewed partnership reflects the core principles of what PCEO Taway calls “transformative governance”, which is anchored in unity, mutual respect, and shared progress.