SINGAPORE, 3 March 2026 –  Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo G. Macaraig welcomed officials from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) at the Philippine Embassy on 02 March 2026.

During the courtesy call, the NCIP, led by Atty. Harriet N. Abyadang discussed the agency’s ongoing digital transformation initiatives, including the newly established centralized DRIP has been shortlisted as one of the potential innovations to be recognized at the GovInsider Festival of Innovation 2026, taking place on 3-4 March  2026, in Singapore. The two-day festival is a premier event that brings together public sector visionaries for knowledge exchange focused on breaking silos, scaling innovations, and delivering human-centered services.

Ambassador Macaraig and NCIP exchanged books during the courtesy call. NCIP presented its “Epanaw” (Journey) Coffee Table Books, a three-volume set launched in March 2021 featuring Philippine Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) – Pagkilala (Recognize), Paggalang (Respect), and Pagtaguyod (Promote), showcasing indigenous knowledge, rituals, and contributions to sustainable development. Ambassador Macaraig, on the other hand, gifted the Embassy’s own book project, “Making a Mark on The Little Red Dot: Trailblazing Filipino Entrepreneurs in Singapore.”

The visit concluded with a tour of the Embassy’s Sentro Rizal, where the delegates explored cultural exhibits and resources highlighting Filipino heritage, including those from the indigenous communities in  the Philippines.

Part of the NCIP’s official trip is a meeting with Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY) to explore cultural exchanges, share best practices, and identify collaboration opportunities that benefit the ICCs/IPs. (END).