A New Partnership for Mediation and Peacebuilding in Region IX

The Mediators Network for Sustainable Peace (MedNet) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples Region IX (NCIP RIX) formally started their partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on September 15, 2026, at Mibang Hotel in Santa Filomena, Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

Representing MedNet were Executive Director Mr. Jhon Robert O. Ko and Vice President for Visayas Ms. Ma. Victoria Delgado, while NCIP Region IX Regional Director Atty. Adolf Ryan S. Lantion and Regional Hearing Officer Atty. Maribel Idiang represented NCIP RIX during the signing.

The partnership will run until 2028 and reflects a shared effort to support the use of mediation and other ways of addressing conflict at the community level.

During the opening of the training, Mr. Ko shared how the partnership came together, beginning with conversations on the need to give greater attention to Indigenous Peoples’ concerns and eventually leading to discussions with NCIP Region IX. He also emphasized that the training was meant to be a mutual learning experience, telling the Subanen participants, “Gusto rin po naming matuto sa inyo.” (“We would also like to learn from you.”)

For his part, Atty. Lantion welcomed the partnership and highlighted the importance of dialogue in pursuing peace. He also shared the value of respecting Indigenous communities’ own knowledge, practices, and ways of settling conflicts.

The MOA signing marked the beginning of a series of activities between MedNet and NCIP RIX. Immediately after the signing, participants from NCIP RIX and the Subanen community took part in the first course of MedNet’s Empowering Dispute Resolution and Management Processes (EDRM/P) Training Series, facilitated by MedNet trainers Atty. Rodolfo Ferdinand “Jun” Quicho and Ms. Vicky Delgado.

Held from September 15 to 17, the three-day training covered conflict understanding and diagnosis, Alternative Dispute Resolution, stakeholder and power analysis, communication, active listening, probing, and Nonviolent Communication. Participants also took part in workshops and simulations where they could apply the concepts to actual conflict situations.

The three-day course concluded with a moving-up ceremony and the awarding of certificates of completion to the participants.

Written by: Mitchie Padilla