Pangasinan State University and the National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) – Region I continues to engage in collaborative endeavors for the protection and promotion of the interest and well being of indigenous cultural communities.
Sealed by a Memorandum of Understanding, the latest partnership seeks to promote ‘𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀’, a community development initiative of PSU Urdaneta City Campus anchored on the Ilocano and Pangasinan concept of ‘bayanihan’ which means ‘collective community effort’.
University President Dr. Elbert Galas inked the MOU with NCIP Regional Director Atty Atanacio O. Addog on October 21, 2025 at the DTNB Convention Hall as witnessed by CHED Regional Director Dr. Christine Ferrer, PSU Vice Presidents and NCIP officials.
Project Bataris aims to foster empowered indigenous communities thru three key development agenda: Equitable, accessible and transformative education; Engaged and responsive natural-cultural heritage preservation; and Economic sustainability, sufficiency and autonomy.
The internally-funded extension project has Urdaneta Campus Extension Coordinator Mark John Padilla. GenEd Department Chair Joan Pillora and Mr. BJ Ambat as lead implementers with the guidance and supervision of Vice President Razeale Resultay, Campus Executive Director Dr. Renato E. Salcedo and Extension Director Dr. Lorena Echalar.
Previous engagements of the project include outreach programs for the Ibaloy ICC in San Nicolas town.
The latest partnership signifies both parties’ intent to strengthen institutional collaboration for the welfare of indigenous communities in Pangasinan, anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on quality education, reduced inequalities and sustainable communities.
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