Quezon City, Philippines — Targeting to support the Dumagat fisherfolk of Brgy. Dibut, San Luis, Aurora, UP Kalilayan – a provincial organization of Aurorahin and Quezonian youth in UP Diliman – presents its 2026 edition of the Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series (NEEDS), entitled “TAIB-HIBAS: A Community Outreach for the Dumagat Fisherfolk of Brgy. Dibut, San Luis, Aurora” to be held on May 10, 2026.
With a primary goal to bring a sustainable and community-owned livelihood for the Dumagat fisherfolk, the project aims to establish a physical store of fishing equipment to help ease the challenges of transportation brought by the community’s remoteness. It also includes a start-up capital of fishing materials to be managed and replenished by the community’s tribal council.
As an educational series project, the program covers a pre-event educational discussion for the volunteers of UP Kalilayan — grasping the harsh and often unseen realities of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines. The project also involves a financial-management discussion for the tribal leaders and fisherfolk as part of its main goal of providing a sustainable livelihood for the community. Moreover, NEEDS 2026 aims to extend its outreach by providing a workshop for the Dumagat youth that involves the importance of youth participation and stepping up to drive community initiatives.
NEEDS 2026 highlights the importance of not just recognizing the harsh realities of the marginalized, but also bringing concrete actions to face challenges. Through this initiative, UP Kalilayan firmly acknowledges the strength and resilience of the indigenous peoples of the Philippines, believing in their power to rise amid adversities and live with autonomy.
In the best interest of helping the Dumagat Community, UP Kalilayan warmly introduces its Piso Mula sa Puso campaign to potential sponsors and donors in order to raise funds for the nearing project. For inquiries and donations, interested individuals and groups may also reach out through the upkalilayan.needs2023@gmail.com(email) or its official Facebook page Neil Eria Educational Discussion Series.