TIWI, Albay—“Siyempre, uyon kami sa programa kaini kan DA (Of course, we agree with this program of DA),” proclaimed 56-year-old fisherfolk Maria Salome Acid, an Agta-Tabangnon of Barangay Joroan when asked if they are in favor of the Kabuhayan at Kaunlaran ng Kababayang Katutubo or 4Ks.

Acid is one of the more than 60 participants who attended the coordination meeting with representatives of the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on March 3, 2021 at the Joroan Tribal Hall here. The meeting was also aimed at clustering the indigenous communities here. She was joined by the IPs of Sitio Tabgon, barangays Misibis and Mayong.

4Ks is a special program developed by the DA which is to promote an enhanced provision of agricultural and fisheries related livelihood, investments and services to the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) nationwide in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).