Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte — Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs) from the Ancestral Domains of Lintangan(Bonua Pusaka Ni Timuoy Tokih) and Anongan took a significant step toward stronger, more resilient community institutions during the Organizational Strengthening Training and Workshop held on January 28–29, 2026, in Sibuco, Zamboanga del Norte.  

The two-day activity aims to build the organizational, managerial, and governance capacities of IPOs as key partners in the implementation of Agri-Enterprise subprojects within their ancestral domains. It is spearheaded by Component 1 (AD-PLAN) of the DA-MIADP RPCO IX in the goal to be able to equip the Indigenous organizations’ members with the knowledge, systems, and tools necessary to function effectively, transparently, and sustainably in project planning and implementation.  

The participants composed of IPO leaders and members from the Ancestral Domains of Lintangan and Anongan, alongside DA-MIADP RPCO IX personnel, engaged in a series of learning sessions that focused on the core characteristics of functional Indigenous Peoples Organizations.

The topics focused on leadership, accountability, participatory decision-making, and compliance with project standards essential for effective agri-enterprise development. These sessions emphasized the importance of culturally appropriate yet structured organizational practices that support inclusive development while safeguarding Indigenous rights and values.   Recognizing that strong institutions go hand in hand with responsible project management, the training also provided overviews on the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Financial Management, Procurement processes, and Monitoring protocols under MIADP.

These discussions aimed to ensure that IPOs are well-informed and capable of managing resources, mitigating risks, and monitoring subproject implementation in a transparent and accountable manner.  

A key highlight of the activity was the installation and operationalization of the Mediation and Conciliation Mechanism, also known as the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). This underscored the project’s commitment to conflict-sensitive implementation by empowering IPOs with systems to address concerns, resolve disputes, and uphold social accountability within their communities.  

The activity concluded with a participatory workshop on identifying and contextualizing the characteristics of functional IPOs, allowing participants to reflect on their current organizational practices and develop an Institutional Strengthening Action Plan tailored to their respective ancestral domains. #DA9MIADP