LAWIG

14/05/2026

𝗔𝗧𝗠: 𝗟𝗔𝗪𝗜𝗚 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝗦𝗗𝗚 𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀

LAWIG joins the University of Cambridge Indigenous Studies Discussion Group (ISDG) Symposium 2026 titled “Voices of the Land and Sea: Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Futures,” a one-day event exploring Indigenous knowledge systems in climate research inspired by COP30 discussions.

The first session focused on Climate Justice and Policy, followed by discussions on Storytelling and Water Worlds, bringing together Indigenous advocates, researchers, legal experts, and community leaders from different parts of the world to discuss Indigenous perspectives in climate futures, environmental sustainability, resilience, and decolonial approaches to climate research.

The symposium opened with a powerful land acknowledgment from Wayne D. Garnons-Williams, founding President of the IITIO _ International Inter-Tribal Trade and Investment Organisation and Senior Lawyer of Garwill Law Professional Corporation, who emphasized that Indigenous Peoples remain the original occupiers, traditional stewards, and inherent protectors of the lands and waters across the world.

“I would like to acknowledge that the Indigenous Peoples are the original occupiers, traditional stewards, and inherent protectors of the lands and waters where each of us attends this meeting today,” he stated.

He further stressed that decolonization must be actively pursued through reconciliation, listening to Indigenous voices, and supporting Indigenous resilience, resistance, and self-determination. Garnons-Williams also reminded non-Indigenous participants of their “sacred duty” to learn the histories and territories they occupy and to foster meaningful relationships that advance reconciliation among all nations.

“To our Indigenous participants, supporters and leaders, we thank you deeply for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us and we look forward to working with you today and in the future,” he added.

LAWIG continues to participate in international conversations uplifting Indigenous voices, climate justice, maritime sustainability, resilience, and community-centered futures.

08/05/2026

𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟰𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁

Cebu, the Philippines — Senior officials from across Southeast Asia convened in Cebu on 06 May 2026 as the Philippines hosted the preparatory ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

The meeting was chaired by His Excellency Leo M. Herrera-Lim, ASEAN Philippines SOM Leader and Undersecretary for Policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Herrera-Lim underscored ASEAN’s shared responsibility in navigating today’s rapidly evolving regional and global challenges. He emphasized the urgency of sustaining a forward-looking and proactive ASEAN that remains adaptive, resilient, and responsive to emerging political, economic, environmental, and security concerns.

The preparatory SOM marked the third meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials under the Philippines’ Chairship and focused on advancing key deliverables under the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Pillar.

Among the major agenda points discussed were maritime cooperation, priority actions for regional resilience, and measures addressing the implications of the ongoing situation in the Middle East on ASEAN and the broader region.

The meeting forms part of a series of high-level engagements leading to the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, where regional leaders and stakeholders are expected to discuss cooperation, security, economic development, and people-centered regional initiatives.

Also present in selected ASEAN-related engagements in Cebu was Richelle Diane P. Claros, founder of the Lakbay-Aral Workforce for Indigenous Groups (LAWIG), together with representatives from the public and private sectors participating in discussions on regional cooperation, inclusive engagement, and the future of Southeast Asia.
𝑃ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑠: 𝐶𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝐴𝑓𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑠 (𝐷𝐹𝐴) 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠, 𝑀𝑠. 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝑉𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎 𝑈𝑏𝑎𝑐, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑆𝐸𝐴𝑁 2026 𝑃𝐻 𝑇𝑒𝑎𝑚.

06/05/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞: 𝐇.𝐄. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐀𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐍 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Her Excellency (H.E.) Delia Domingo Albert, recognized as the first woman career diplomat to serve as Foreign Minister in both ASEAN and the wider Asian region, delivered the lecture “Understanding ASEAN: How It Evolved, How It Works, and Why It Matters” during the 29th Southeast Asia (SEA) Lecture Hall series held today, May 6, 2026, in Cebu.

Her discussion offered a comprehensive reflection on ASEAN’s historical foundations, institutional mechanisms, and continuing relevance in shaping regional cooperation across Southeast Asia. The lecture also highlighted the importance of diplomacy, multilateral engagement, and people-centered regional dialogue in addressing shared challenges and futures within the region.

Hosted by the University of San Carlos through its Department of Political Science, in partnership with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), the event gathered students, academics, advocates, and members of the public at the Albert van Gansewinkel Hall, USC Downtown Campus. LAWIG also joined the lecture alongside other participants and organizations interested in regional issues and Southeast Asian cooperation.

This event arrives at a pivotal moment as Cebu hosts the 48th ASEAN Summit in Lapu-Lapu City from May 6–8, 2026.

06/05/2026

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒: 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗣𝗥𝗗𝗣 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘

LAWIG encourages Indigenous scholars, students, researchers, advocates, and community knowledge bearers to participate in the 2026 Indigenous Peoples Research and Development Program (IPRDP) Conference of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

With the theme, “Empowering Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” the conference welcomes research and theses that contribute to culturally grounded, rights-based, and community-centered knowledge and development.

Submission deadline:
30 May 2026

For more information, submission guidelines, and conference themes, please click the photo below.

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒 📣

The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples is accepting submissions of research papers for the upcoming 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 (𝗜𝗣𝗥𝗗𝗣) 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 📖🔍

With the theme "Empowering Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) for Inclusive and Sustainable Development," the conference is looking for undergraduate-level or above research or theses under the following themes:
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) Documentation (10 Elements)
- Peace Studies
- Development Studies
- Socioeconomics
- Governance, Rights, and Self-Determination
- Education and Knowledge Transmission
- Environment, Ecology, and Climate Resilience
- Health, Healing, and Wellbeing
- Social Inclusion and Human Rights
- Cultural Revitalization and Heritage Preservation

For interested researchers, please submit your research abstracts through https://bit.ly/4sy4IWY and via email address at [email protected] not later than 𝟯𝟬 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲. 📅

The IPRDP is the NCIP's national initiative that promotes evidence-based policymaking, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) preservation, and rights-based development for Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs). It supports research that strengthens ancestral domain governance, cultural integrity, and sustainable development, and empowers IP communities through knowledge generation, documentation, and culturally grounded policymaking.

ℹ️ For more information: https://ncip.gov.ph/.../call-for-papers-2026-indigenous.../

05/05/2026

LAWIG 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂

LAWIG proudly supports and joins ASEAN for the Peoples Week 2026, happening on May 5–8, 2026 in Cebu, the Philippines, organized by Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia.

As the inaugural civil society–driven platform held alongside the 48th ASEAN Summit, this initiative creates critical space for inclusive public engagement and meaningful multi-stakeholder dialogue. It builds on ASEAN’s formal processes, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and the momentum of the ASEAN for the Peoples Conference (AFPC) 2025.

By convening diverse actors across sectors, the platform advances collaboration that translates regional commitments into concrete, community-centered outcomes. LAWIG remains committed to amplifying voices, strengthening partnerships, and contributing to people-centered solutions across Southeast Asia.

25/04/2026

🎓 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄 | 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐚𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢, 𝐁𝐒𝐀𝐓 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞

Lakbay-Aral Workforce for Indigenous Groups (LAWIG) proudly congratulates Ronny Daomani, one of our dedicated Badjao youth volunteers, for successfully completing his Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology at the College of Technological Sciences-Cebu.

Ronny’s journey reflects years of perseverance, commitment, and growth. He began as one of the young participants of Project Ahon Badjao Cebu (ABC), a literacy project that opened pathways for learning and access to education among Badjao youth. The initiative had been supported by the Cebu City Government through the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) under the leadership of Hon. Ester G. Co**ha, the NCIP Cebu Provincial Office through former Development Management Officer Ms. Hazel Torrefiel, and the University of the Philippines Cebu through Richelle Diane P. Claros. Since 2015, beginning with his early involvement at Alaska Elementary School, Ronny has remained a consistent presence, supporting initiatives from Project ABC to LAWIG. His journey reflects personal commitment, a strong sense of responsibility, and the path he forged through his own efforts.

𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖, 𝑹𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒚! 𝑴𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒂𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚.

𝑷𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒐𝒏!

23/04/2026

𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗢 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗖𝗘𝗕𝗨

Cebu City, Philippines — April 23, 2026

A formal turnover of books from the Book Donation Project - For Schools in the Philippines was successfully completed today, facilitated by Lakbay-Aral Workforce for Indigenous Groups (LAWIG) and received by Lost Books Cebu.

The books were officially released and received in fully sealed and excellent condition, in accordance with standard coordination and documentation procedures. The transfer was carried out in an orderly manner, ensuring proper handling and accountability at each stage of the process.

The said books are intended to support ongoing literacy initiatives and improve access to education within local communities.

The turnover signifies continued collaboration between private initiatives and community-based organizations in expanding the availability of educational resources in Cebu.

21/04/2026

🎙️ LAWIG's 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 | 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 3 (𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 3) 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆

So, when did research become a dirty word?

In this special 30-minute third episode of The Voicecast, 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 unpacks a question many avoid but communities have long lived with. Why does a word meant to seek truth sometimes carry stories of extraction, misrepresentation, and silence?

Featuring 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘂 (𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁), this episode challenges how knowledge is produced and calls for research grounded in consent, reciprocity, dignity, and justice. It reminds us that truth is not only written in books, but lived, remembered, and carried across generations.

This is more than a podcast. It is a question that may change how you see knowledge itself.

Now streaming on Spotify Podcast for FREE.

Scan the QR code below or visit:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ipBoZ4hgs9TKR1sAEdn4a?si=32741459759045e5

15/04/2026

Join the Call for Decade Actions (11/2026).

Led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, this global initiative supports ocean science for a sustainable future.

Focus areas:
• Priority needs from the Barcelona Statement
• New projects and contributions
• Inclusive participation in the 2027 Ocean Decade Conference (Rio de Janeiro)

Apply: https://ow.ly/8H8O50YJu3b
Guidance Note: https://ow.ly/rgsj50YJu3a

Q&A Sessions:
May 4 (16:30 UTC): https://ow.ly/Vx3V50YJu3c
May 5 (11:30 UTC): https://ow.ly/X5oe50YJu3e