Upholding its commitment to empower local communities and champion the rights of indigenous peoples, UP Kalilayan—a provincial organization of Quezonian and Aurorahin youth in UP Diliman—proudly launches the 2026 edition of the Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series (NEEDS) entitled, “TAIB-HIBAS: A Community Outreach for the Dumagat Fisherfolks of Brgy. Dibut, San Luis, Aurora,” set to take place on May 10, 2026, in Aurora province. This project will bring student volunteers, tribal leaders, Dumagat fisherfolk, and their youth together for a fruitful and meaningful day of educational discussions and community immersion.
At the heart of this service-oriented program, NEEDS 2026 aims to extend its support to the livelihood of the Dumagat tribe, primarily fishing, through participatory and sustainable initiatives. Its goal is to establish a store of fishing equipment within the small community in response to challenges raised by the fishermen themselves, citing that the remoteness of the area poses significant difficulty in obtaining supplies from the commercial capital of the province. The project will also provide start-up capital in the form of donated fishing materials, with the management of shared resources, replenishment of stocks, and maintenance of the store spearheaded by the tribal council. This recognizes that sustainability and community ownership stem from the tribe’s autonomy in self-governance and decision-making processes.
Moreover, beyond the store establishment and material distribution, the program will also feature a series of carefully curated educational discussions, as reflected in the flagship project’s name. As part of its preparations, an internal situationer will be conducted to equip the student volunteers of UP Kalilayan with critical knowledge on the struggles of indigenous peoples in the Philippines. An educational discussion on financial management of a community-run store for Dumagat leaders and fisherfolk will supplement the main goal of ensuring sustainability in the long run. Lastly, a leadership talk and workshop for the Dumagat youth will also be conducted, as the organization believes that young people are the future bearers of the tribe’s collective interests.
Through NEEDS 2026, UP Kalilayan not only fosters solidarity between students and marginalized communities but also promotes sustainable and inclusive development anchored in respect, cooperation, and empowerment. The youth of UP Kalilayan firmly believe that indigenous peoples, as demonstrated by their long history of resistance, rise amidst challenges through their resilient spirit—whether in calm waters or rough tides.
As the date approaches, UP Kalilayan invites potential sponsors and donors to take part in this initiative to uplift the Dumagat fisherfolk community of Aurora and create a lasting impact. For inquiries and donation opportunities, interested individuals, groups, and companies may reach out through upkalilayan.needs2023@gmail.com or its official Facebook page, Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series.
Lagi’t lagi, sa taib o hibas man, mananatiling buhay ang diwa ng katutubong pakikibaka kasama ang hanay ng kabataan.
