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GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Reaffirming its commitment to regional development and social inclusion, the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) has officially joined the Region XII Inter-Agency Technical Working Group (RIATWG) for Project I-LEAD.
Project I-LEAD (Indigenous Women and Girls—Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains) is a flagship initiative funded by the New Zealand Government and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). The project is designed to empower indigenous women across Mindanao by providing leadership training, fostering economic opportunities, and strengthening the governance of ancestral domains.
To ensure technical expertise and academic support for the initiative, USM has designated Dr. Glyn B. Gabano-Magbanua, Director of the Extension Services Office (ESO), as its primary representative to the RIATWG, with Prof. Yvonne V. Saliling serving as the alternate representative.
Representing the University, Dr. Magbanua attended the Solidarity Meeting and Project Launching held at the Grand Summit Hotel on May 6–7, 2026. She also participated in a collaborative meeting to establish the project’s strategic roadmap. Key discussions centered on reviewing and confirming the RIATWG Terms of Reference (TOR) and membership, translating the collaborative framework into a concrete Regional Activity Plan and identifying strategic pathways to formalize long-term partnerships and sustainability for I-LEAD.
The launch was graced by notable diplomatic and government leaders, including New Zealand Senior Policy Officer Anita Edgecomb, New Zealand Second Secretary to the Philippines David Pennycook, and UNDP Philippines Representative Christophe Bahuet. Also in attendance were NCIP Chairperson Secretary Nancy Catamco, Cotabato Governor Hon. Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza, and Sarangani Governor Hon. Rogelio Pacquiao. They were joined by NCIP Regional Directors Geroncio Aguio (Region XI) and Joey Bogay (Region XII), alongside representatives from Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs/IPs) and various partner agencies from across both regions.
Through this partnership, USM asserts its commitment to bridge the gap between the academe and the various IP communities, ensuring that indigenous voices are heard and addressed.
