NCIP eyes livelihood program for cultural minorities

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The office of National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) is eyeing for more tangible revenue-earning livelihood projects for the benefit of cultural minorities here.

Ronie P. Caanawan, NCIP provincial officer in Bataan explained the initial plan to undertake skills manpower training program for the indigenous people is the best way to equip them with know-how and competences for more competitive handicraft and food production.

About 3,000 cultural minorities are registered in the province’s two tribal communities belonging to Ambala and Magbukon , should undergo extensive skills trainings on handicraft making and other cottage industries instead of relying entirely  on hunting of wild animals , honey and fruits  gathering , and planting of various root crops.

According to study, Caanawan said the Bataan forest land is classified as timberland, forest reservation, watershed, natural shrine, national park and military naval reservation.

Aside from timberland , the existence of minor forest  products include bamboo, rattan, hingin and other vines  which is suitable and raw materials for the manufacturing of baskets, decorative display, highly saleable export materials and other products.

Fruit trees are also abundant such as mango, cashew, coconut, avocado star apple, banana and other wild fruits which maybe use as sweet jams and other delicious fruit salads.

The forest land also serves as refugee for wildlife such as wild boars, wild chicken and ducks, birds, snakes and others.