CBCP-ECIP partners with CCCPET for Strategic Planning

The Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines – Episcopal Commission on Indigenous Peoples (CBCP-ECIP), had its strategic planning at Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila last February 9-10, 2023. 

The planning started with the discussion on the Pamatharaan Framework, followed by the dissection of the Statement crafted from the ECIP National Assembly held in Tagaytay last November 22-25, 2022. Inspired by the Catholic Church’s call for Synodality, the participants were divided into two workshop groups according to the four main sections highlighted in the Statement: Ancestral Domain and Peace and Order for the first group and Education and Livelihood for the second group. During the workshops, participants outlined the basic, intermediate, and long-term strategies they deemed necessary for the Commission to work within the next five years. The group’s outputs were presented to the body, which elicited a fruitful and meaningful exchange of ideas and thoughts. 

The fruitful meeting of minds and hearts was attended by the ECIP Chair, Bishop Valentin Dimoc of Bontoc, Lagawe, who celebrated the Holy Eucharist on the planning workshops’ first and second days. , Mr Tony Abuso, ECIP Secretary-General; Fr. Earl Cura, CICM and representatives from Indigenous People’s Community leaders and Indigenous People’s Apostolate Directors and Coordinators, namely: Fr. Jong Sabuga, Jr., Cagayan de Oro IPA Director and Mindanao IPA Coordinator; Mr Cedo Bulalacao, Higaonon, Malitbog, Bukidnon; Mr Pablito Gonzales, Visayas IPA Coordinator; Ms Meralyn Padojelaga, Bukidnon, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Fr. Gabby Oybad, Mangyan Mission Director, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, Mr Agosto Bilog, Hanunuo, Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro, Fr. Arman Limsa, Puerto Princesa IPA Director and S-CL Regional Coordinator, Mr Danny Tible, Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Sr. Minerva Caampued, FAS, Tuguegarao IPA Coordinator, Sta. Ana, Cagayan and Ms Teresa Gonzales, Agta, Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

In collaboration with ECIP, the academic representatives under the University of Santo Tomas -Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET), headed by the Director, Assoc. Prof. Eric Zerrudo, Ph.D facilitated the planning. The team was composed of Ms Beverly Bautista of the foregoing office and Faculty Members from the Institute of Religion, Prof. Joan Christi Bagaipo, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Pablito Baybado, Ph.D., Asst. Prof. Philip Fuentes, Ph.D., Asst. Prof Marites Redoña, Ph.D. and Assoc. Prof. Chito Sawit, Ph.D.