With the theme, “Innovations for Indigenous Peoples’ Empowerment and Social Transformation”, the First International Forum in Mountain Province was hosted by the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College and was co-hosted by Bali-based non-government organization Yayasan Global Banjar International- Wow Bali Initiative on April 4-7.
The forum sought to provide a venue for faculty members, government leaders, and business practitioners to share best practices and research studies on various drivers for IP empowerment. It likewise aimed to provide an opportunity for networking, exchange of ideas among practicing organizations and international agencies about common concerns and joint solutions. Further, it responded to the gown and town concept where the academic research outputs match the needs of the community consequential to social transformation.
With the local government unit of Mountain Province also co-sponsoring the activity, the forum complemented the Lang-ay Festival as it was programmed not only as an academic event but also an avenue to showcase the cultures of the Cordilleras.
There were 250 participants from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan and Poland who took part of the significant event.
The said participants and research presenters came from SUCs (including NCIP grantees), DepEd schools, NGOs, private business individuals and organizations, LGUs, PNP representatives, and national line agencies. 
The diversity of the presented papers were all leading to a common goal of empowerment and social transformation.
Keynote speeches and research presentations were delivered along the identified streams of the forum dubbed with the following titles: Grassroots Initiatives: Leadership Within; Community-based Strategies towards Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Resiliency; The Rise of the Enterprising IPs: Prospects and Possibilities; Innovative Practices for Transformative Education; Ecological Conservation and Research Utilization among Indigenous Peoples; and, Regenerative Knowledge Amidst Changing Cultural Landscapes.
The keynote speakers selected based on the mentioned streams and the main theme include: Assistant Police Superintendent Talleo of Province Police Office on the State of Peace in Mountain Province; Dr. Milagros Rimando of National Economic Development Authority – CAR on Indigenous Peoples Innovations for Empowerment; Dr. Tim Eing Ming Wu of Edu-connect Asia on Conducive Linkages for Social Transformation; Mr. Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga on Nation Building from the Bottom-Up Towards a More Human and Inclusive Economy; Dr. Alex Brillantes of UP-NCPAG on Good Governance, Empowerment and Social Transformation: Handles for Reform; Dr. Ruby Brion of LSPU GAD Resource Center on Gender and Development Across Cultures; Dr. Kristoffer Berse of UP-NCPAG on Rethinking Disaster Resilience in a Changing Climate; Mr. Gary Pekas of the Mountain Province LGU on Empowerment and Social Transformation: The Mountain Province Experience; Director Ronald Calde of NCIP CAR; and Prof. Hai Dai Nguyen of Wow Bali – Yayasan Global Banjar Internasional on Indigenous Consciousness: Cultural Wealth Regenerative Understandings in Modern Times. Dr. Allyson Belagan of the Mountain Province Congressional Office also shared on Indigenous Peoples Education.
Tours on experiencing the nature and beauty of Mountain Province were commenced with the guided tours to Sagada and Maligcong and a glimpse of the Lang-ay Festival street dancing parade on April 7, 2018. It can be noted that prior the said forum, Taiwan and Indonesian partners engaged the MPSPC faculty, staff and students on seminars on City Learning Tour as a Conducive Learning Tool, Learning Exchange with MPSPC, Socio-Cultural Exchange, Asian Green Hotel and Climate Change, and Orientation on Sustainable Water Management and Climate Change from April 3 – 4. These activities were set as part of realizing the objectives of the College with its international linkages. With all the completed activities, participants shared their gratitude with the MPSPC organizers. Their overwhelming greetings showed their excitement for the second international forum. “Congratulations, MPSPC. Kudos to you. I learned a lot – Thank you! See you next forum”. // Luzlyn M. Agwilang
