The Philippine Normal University North Luzon (PNUNL), in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), successfully concluded its community extension program for the Agta community in Sitio Magamut, Barangay San Vicente, San Pablo, Isabela, on May 29, 2025. Held from May 28 to 29 at the upper reaches of Sitio Magamut, the two-day activity officially ends the university’s long-running initiative under the flagship program PNU SiKad (Sirib ken Kadawyan).

Since its launch in April 2020 through the Center for Indigenous Peoples Education, the program has delivered culturally responsive services to uplift the Agta community. Despite a brief suspension due to typhoons in late 2024, the program resumed in February 2025. It continued to provide essential interventions, including health and wellness sessions, the distribution and propagation of herbal plants, literacy and numeracy education, and the distribution of “Bags of Joy” containing educational and hygiene supplies.

During the closing activity, Agta beneficiaries reflected on the program’s impact. Mothers shared how their families adopted healthier practices and herbal remedies at home. Children developed basic literacy and numeracy skills, while elders expressed a renewed sense of dignity and inclusion. These testimonials underscored how the program has helped improve daily living conditions and strengthen community resilience.

Spanning five years of sustained engagement, the initiative demonstrates the strong commitment of PNUNL and NCIP to inclusive education and sustainable development for Indigenous Peoples. The experience in Sitio Magamut stands as a meaningful example of how academic institutions and government agencies can work together to bring transformative change to underserved communities.