Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo led the inauguration of a new self-sustaining “eco-farming” community on Nov. 8, 2015 in Barangay Bakal, Paracale, Camarines Norte, a 100-hectare site developed by the INC, through the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, to assist members of the province’s indigenous Kabihug community.
With 300 households, a garment factory, a fish-drying facility, a school and a chapel, the Paracale site is the 10th eco-farming area set up by the INC in various locations in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
According to INC general auditor Glicerio Santos, “the INC wants to help both members and non-members fight poverty and maintain dignity in their lives, as we believe that spirituality goes hand in hand with a decent living.”
The idea of creating livelihood and financial assistance projects was started in 1965 in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija under then-Executive Minister Eraño G. Manalo. The aim of the initiative at that time was to help laborers in Hacienda Luisita.
“The message of the church has always been to give aid to the needy, and that’s what we have been doing for four decades with our sustainable livelihood projects in these self-sustaining communities,” said Santos.
In 1992, the INC established the Barangay Bagong Buhay site in response to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The project benefited Aeta groups that were displaced by the calamity.
“We have been addressing, in our own small way, the needs and concerns of our brothers and sisters in the lumad and indigenous peoples sector for several years. We shall continue doing so as a church and as responsible Filipino citizens and members of the community,” Santos stressed.
Bicol’s regional director of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples, Evelyn Jacob, expressed gratitude for the INC’s efforts.
“We thank the Iglesia Ni Cristo for their tremendous help to the Kabihugs in resettlement and in providing needed livelihood assistance,” said Jacob.
“INC’s efforts included moral and spiritual nurturing as well, for which everyone is grateful,” added the NCIP director.