The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) is set to enter a joint management agreement (JMA) with the indigenous peoples (IPs) within its jurisdiction.

In an interview on Sunday, President and CEO Atty. Gil G. Taway IV said the JMA is patterned after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s partnership with the Aeta community.

He added that the initiative will focus on the 12,242-hectare Parcel 2 of the ecozone, home to six indigenous settlements. Taway said APECO envisions the area as a hub for jobs, eco-tourism, and environmental conservation.

The JMA will allow shared decision-making between APECO and IP communities, as the agency aims to align economic activities with cultural traditions and environmental protection.

Currently, the ecozone authority is coordinating with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to secure Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and delineate Parcel 2 boundaries.

"Quarterly consultations with tribal chieftains are ongoing, and in December 2024, IP communities received long-delayed Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) approved by the NCIP after a 17-year wait," he said.

Under Taway’s leadership since October 2023, the number of IPs employed as Bantay Gubat, or forest rangers, has increased from 22 to 61. Other programs include establishing an IP Desk and Lounge, offering livelihood training, and providing free use of facilities for cultural events.

APECO said the planned JMA reflects its commitment to inclusive growth by integrating IP communities into sustainable development programs.