The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 02 (DA-RFO 02), through the GCF–Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project, in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Cagayan, conducted a two-day “Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) Consultation Meeting” on September 23 & 24, 2026 in Allacapan and Pamplona, Cagayan, respectively.
The consultation was led by the APA Regional Project Management Office (RPMO 02), Mr. Razle A. Martin, Provincial Technical Assistant Coordinator (PTAC), Ms. Judy An Mae L. Nolledo, Regional Operations Assistant (ROA), Mr. Arjay A. Najana and Mr. Catherine A. Antonio, Field Technical Assistants (FTAs). To ensure a transparent process that safeguards Indigenous rights, the DA partnered with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Cagayan, represented by Ms. Josephine C. Pattaguan, Community Development Officer III, Ms. Raquel P. Santiago, Nurse II, and Mr. Eliseo U. Fronda, Tribal Affairs Assistant III.
Chieftains, elders, and leaders from the Agta, Isnag, and Ybanag tribes including Mr. Daniel Padua, Ms. Agnes Tamayo, Ms. Norma B. Sabal, Ms. Cristina Ramos, and Mr. Anghel S. Aquino—represented delegates from Cataratan, Dagupan, Silagan, Allacapan and Santa Cruz, Masi, Gattu, Pamplona expressing their full support for the Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change (APA) Project.
DA and NCIP officials presented the goals and strategies of the APA Project, highlighting Climate Information Services (CIS) and Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA) enterprises to build farmers’ resilience against climate change through capacity building and direct interventions.
Through interactive consultations and group discussions, indigenous participants identified their preferred CRA practices tailored to their actual crops specifically rice, corn, vegetables and coconut while clarifying community concerns regarding seed distribution, RSBSA registration guidelines, non-FCA member insurance, and project rollout schedules for 2026-2030 implementation. Under APA Project Guidelines, 12.5% of indigenous participants will access direct interventions while safeguarding Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP).
The Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) consultation meeting concluded with the signing of the Resolution of Consent, signifying their full support for the project, documentation of IKSP, adoption of CRA practices, and integration into local development agreements in accordance with the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) Law.
Via Razle A. Martin