The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 2, through its Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region 2, formally signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today.

Under the signed MOU, DTI R2 and NCIP R2 shall collaborate on the conduct of YEP 2021 with priority areas on safeguarding and enshrining the IPs’ cultural heritage and transferring the skills and cultural product assets to youth belonging to Indigenous Cultural Communities and the IPs.

This is to foster creativity and preservation, while instilling entrepreneurial mind setting and innovation for socio-economic growth and become a productive sector of the community.

Recognizing it as another momentous undertaking, DTI-Regional Director (RD) Leah Pulido Ocampo, expressed her overwhelming gratitude to the partnership, which highlights the culture and tradition-based YEP.

“I hope that it’s going to be a continuing program because it’s not a touch and go thing; it is something that should be sustained overtime to have a significant impact on the lives of our IPs,” said RD Ocampo. She shared the backstory of the program, including the significance of distinctive branding, which is the focus of this year’s YEP.

On the other hand, NCIP-RD, Atty. Ronaldo M. Daquioag, expressed the agency’s support to this undertaking and mentioned the importance of factoring in the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), beliefs, and customs of the IPs to protect the cultural integrity of these communities.

Moreover, DTI-Isabela Provincial Director Winston T. Singun, highlighted the shared mission of DTI R2 and NCIP R2 on the said initiative. Ramil Garcia, Division Chief of SME Development Division, shared the overview of the YEP, the policies supporting the program, the components, and the different activities in line with its implementation.

Further, Mary Margeret Matute, NCIP-Development Management Officer II, presented the overview of the agency, the pillars of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, and the IKSP.

YEP 2021 will be launched this month and will carry on until November with the theme “Istilong Pinoy (IP): Pagsalin at Pagpapayaman ng Katutubong Kultura at mga Kasanayan”.

The ceremonial signing, witnessed by the officers and staff of DTI R2 led by RD Leah Pulido Ocampo, Assistant RD Ruben Diciano, and the Provincial Directors and officers of NCIP R2 led by RD Ronaldo M. Daquioag, was conducted virtually via Zoom and livestreamed on the official Facebook page of DTI R2. ♦

Date of Release: 22 September 2021