The University of Northern Philippines, through its College of Public Administration (UNP-CPAd), received a Provincial Resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Sur, commending the institution as a valued partner in the Pammadayaw Sintatako initiative. This recognition underscored the university’s commitment to public service, inclusive governance, and community-driven development.
UNP-CPAd participated as a member of the Sintatako Award Provincial Assessment Team (SAPAT), collaborating with various agencies and institutions to document and recognize Indigenous Peoples’ customary laws, conflict-resolution practices, and peacebuilding traditions throughout Ilocos Sur. The initiative aligned with the university’s mission to promote participatory governance and cultural preservation while advancing community engagement at the grassroots level. The Pammadayaw Sintatako program represented a significant effort to honor and institutionalize Indigenous Peoples’ systems of justice and conflict resolution, ensuring that traditional practices were preserved and integrated into contemporary governance frameworks. Through systematic documentation and assessment, the team worked to validate the authenticity and effectiveness of these community-based mechanisms.
The initiative garnered national attention when it received the Local Government Academy’s Bugkos ng Bayan Award, recognizing Ilocos Sur’s innovative approaches to governance and community development. This achievement reflected the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved, including local government units, Indigenous communities, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. University President Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna expressed his support for the initiative, emphasizing the institution’s role in advancing inclusive governance and meaningful community engagement. “This recognition affirmed our commitment to programs that not only served our communities but also celebrated and preserved our cultural heritage,” Dr. Cadorna stated.
The Pammadayaw Sintatako initiative directly contributed to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which promoted peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and effective institutions. The program also advanced SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ voices and traditional systems were recognized and respected in governance processes. Additionally, the initiative supported SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through the promotion of inclusive and participatory local governance, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration among government, academia, and communities.
As an academic institution specializing in public administration and governance, UNP-CPAd remained dedicated to programs that empowered communities, strengthened institutional capacities, and promoted evidence-based policy development. The college continued to serve as a bridge between academic research and practical governance applications, ensuring that scholarly work translated into meaningful community impact. The Provincial Resolution from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan acknowledged not only UNP-CPAd’s technical expertise but also its genuine commitment to working alongside communities in pursuit of social justice, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
Moving forward, UNP-CPAd reaffirmed its commitment to partnerships that advanced participatory governance, upheld Indigenous Peoples’ rights, and contributed to building more inclusive and peaceful communities throughout the region.
