Strengthening Indigenous education and environmental advocacy: APC and ESSC chart a course for 2025 to 2030

Apu Palamguwan Cultural Education Center (APC) and Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) convened in January 2025 for an institutional planning session to set the direction for the next five years. The two-phase gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on past efforts, refine strategies, and align visions for sustainable education and environmental advocacy.

The planning sessions were held in two phases. The first phase on 7 to 10 January at the ESSC office in Quezon City was a review of the organizations’ mission and vision amid current socio-ecological challenges. The second phase on 13 to 16 January at Balay Laudato Si’ in Bendum focused on deepening APC’s role in culture-based education, Indigenous environmental guardianship, and community engagement. Sylvia Miclat and Rowena Soriaga from ESSC accompanied the APC Management Team, teachers, and staff in this endeavor.

ESSC reaffirmed its dedication to grassroots empowerment through research and capacity building, while APC strengthened its commitment to Indigenous education, ensuring that learning remains relevant and deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the Pulangiyēn community and neighboring areas.

Discussions revolved around critical themes:

• Indigenous education and community empowerment: APC reviewed its alignment with the Department of Education’s Indigenous Peoples Education framework, with a focus on solidifying its role as a recognized Indigenous learning institution. The management team explored ways to reinforce the school’s focus on culture while opening pathways for students to engage with mainstream education.
• Environmental guardianship and sustainable resource management: APC and ESSC developed strategies to further strengthen watershed protection, agroecology, and community-led conservation. The role of Indigenous knowledge in addressing climate change was a key point of discussion, emphasizing the need for policies that reflect both scientific and traditional ecological wisdom.
• Institutional strengthening and collaboration: Recognizing the importance of partnerships, APC and ESSC set plans to enhance teacher training, foster greater community participation, and expand networks with other Indigenous education advocates and Jesuit institutions in the Philippines and abroad.
• Youth engagement and leadership formation: Acknowledging the evolving challenges that Indigenous youth face, APC is intensifying efforts to cultivate leadership, facilitate community dialogues, and establish mentorship programs with Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL) to prepare young leaders for active roles in advocacy and sustainable development.

As APC and ESSC advance on the 2025-2030 roadmap, both remain steadfast in the commitment to Indigenous education that is both transformative and deeply rooted in cultural identity. This shared commitment ensures that the next five years will be marked by purposeful action, sustained engagement, and meaningful change.