The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) Regional Indigenous Peoples Center (RIPC) has officially partnered with the City Government of Iriga Tourism Office and the Iriga City Indigenous Peoples Association Inc. (ICIPAI) to empower indigenous leaders, preserve cultural identity, and develop heritage plans and initiatives for the Agta-Tabangnon IP community. A memorandum of agreement was formally signed on July 28, 2025, at the DTI-SSF, Iriga City Hall Compound.
The collaborative project, known as BURAC (Branding IP Leaders, Unveiling Iriga’s Tourism Potential, and Revitalizing Arts and Culture), aims to empower Indigenous Peoples (IP) leaders and their communities, safeguard their rich culture, and boost local tourism through a series of activities, including leadership and skills training, comprehensive research and documentation, and the development of cultural heritage plans and programs.
Dr. Jesusa B. Taumatorgo, Director of CBSUA-RIPC and the project proponent, explained that BURAC stems from the shared mandates and initiatives of CBSUA, the City Government of Iriga, and ICIPAI. The project also aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, specifically: Quality Education, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Partnerships for Goals.
Meanwhile, Engr. Nona Vanessa M. Santiago, City Tourism Officer and City Government Department Head I, highlighted that the funding for the BURAC Project was secured under the P1.7 million Lunsod Lunsad Project: An Extensive Research and CapDev Training on Local Awareness and Promotion of Iriga City’s Intangible Heritage Thrusts – IP Cultural Identity and Demographic Profiling. This funding was granted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Representing CBSUA President Dr. Alberto N. Naperi were Dr. Ramona Isabela S. Ramirez, Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Dr. Vladimir R. Foronda, Director for Extension Services Division. Dr. Ramirez expressed profound gratitude to the partner agencies for embracing the collaboration. She emphasized that BURAC aligns with the university’s commitment to providing extension and community services. Dr. Ramirez affirmed, “We will keep our commitment in the implementation of this project. Our Extension Services Division is at the forefront of our community service, and we are thankful for your support in realizing our objective to uplift the IP communities in Bicol.”
Iriga City Mayor, Hon. Wilfredo Rex C. Oliva, shared his administration’s vision for protecting the rich cultural heritage of the Agta-Tabangnon in the city. He stated that his administration has been consistently spearheading projects that promote the welfare of the IP community, extending beyond cultural preservation to include livelihood and training initiatives. He also expressed gratitude to the partner agencies present for their support in this endeavor.
Dr. Taumatorgo further elaborated on the three core components of the BURAC Project. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗬 (𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝘆), led by the CBSUA RIPC, will focus on an orientation seminar on the IPRA Law and the Local Government Code of 1991, team-building activities to enhance personality and leadership styles, seminar-workshops on technical writing, and the development of a technical writing guidebook. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗟 (𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗴𝘁𝗮 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲), spearheaded by ICIPAI (which represents over 21 tribes across 18 barangays), includes an orientation for IP leaders and their communities on conducting research, demographic profiling through interviews and surveys, documentation of Indigenous Knowledge, Systems, and Practices (IKSPs), and the development of IEC advocacy materials and a coffee table book. Finally, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗔𝗣𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗕𝗢 (𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗴𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗻𝗼𝗻’𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗹𝘆𝗼) led by the City Government of Iriga Tourism Office, will involve school and community-based IP culture promotion, bridging IP tradition and modernity through school and community tourism activities (such as IP Literary Musical and Dance Competitions, IP Multimedia Promotions, indigenous photo exhibits, and a synchronized IP month celebration), and the drafting of cultural policies and database management. All these initiatives will undergo rigorous monitoring and evaluation by assigned offices.
Capping the event, ICIPAI President Ms. Joan F. Lumabe expressed her gratitude towards CBSUA, the City Government of Iriga, and DTI for their support, promising that their association will extend full support and active participation in the BURAC Project.
Also present during the event, demonstrating full support, were Ms. Madel A. Alacar, DTI Provincial Account Officer and Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist; Iriga City Vice Mayor Edsel S. Dimaiwat and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod—Councilors Rodolfo Jeff B. Tino, Leo Joshua Marcel O. Caayao, Katherine Dominique C. Lagrimas, Dandreb N. Abonite, Melnan R. Murallo-Asanza, Jessie DV. Abonite, Jr., and Roseller Y. Orolfo, and City Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Margarita B. Cabria.
