Davao City — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines, and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) are deepening their collaboration to promote indigenous-led development, economic empowerment, and sustainable energy transition across Mindanao.
The renewed partnership was highlighted during a courtesy meeting on the sidelines of the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF), where MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno met with Dyan Mabunga Rodriguez, Manager of New Zealand International Development Cooperation; Atty. Geroncio R. Aguio, Regional Director of NCIP Region XI; and Atty. Adolf Ryan Lantion, Regional Director of NCIP Region XII.
Secretary Magno expressed gratitude to the New Zealand government for its continuing support, stressing MinDA’s commitment to ensure that Mindanao’s development remains inclusive and rooted in cultural heritage.
“Mindanao’s indigenous communities have long been the guardians of our natural and cultural heritage,” Magno said. “By empowering them through education, economic opportunity, and sustainable development, we are building a stronger, more inclusive future for the entire island.”
At the center of the discussions were two major initiatives: the Indigenous-Women and Girls Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) Project, set for full implementation in 2026, and New Zealand’s NZD 45 million Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM), which supports renewable energy and green hydrogen development. Both programs are designed to connect indigenous communities in Mindanao to education, livelihood, and clean energy opportunities.
The meeting also explored indigenous economic models inspired by the Māori Trust Fund Framework, which emphasizes equitable benefit-sharing and community-driven development. New Zealand encouraged capacity-building efforts for MinDA and NCIP officials and proposed exploring participation in the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement (IPETCA) — an international platform that fosters indigenous trade and sustainable economic cooperation.
Rodriguez noted that Mindanao could serve as a model for inclusive and culturally anchored development, merging indigenous traditions with modern economic systems.
“Mindanao’s indigenous peoples have a rich heritage and untapped potential,” Rodriguez said. “By integrating cultural values into development planning, we can create empowered, sustainable communities that inspire not just the Philippines, but the world.”
New Zealand reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with MinDA and NCIP in advancing programs that promote sustainable livelihoods, education, and access to clean energy for both Muslim and non-Muslim indigenous communities throughout Mindanao.
The strengthened cooperation aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote inclusive growth and ensure that indigenous peoples are active partners in national development. It also supports the administration’s broader goals of regional equity, clean energy transition, and culturally grounded economic progress.
As part of its Building a Better Mindanao program, MinDA reaffirmed its role in translating the President’s vision into actionable initiatives that uplift indigenous communities while contributing to sustainable and inclusive development across the island.