Tacloban City, May 25, 2017 - The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), in collaboration with some academic institutions namely, the Philippine Normal University, Leyte Normal University and Southern Leyte State University, is now set to spearhead a research project for the education and health improvement of the indigenous peoples in Southern Leyte for year 2017.

During the preliminary meeting conducted by the four parties at SLSU, it has been discussed that the project, which was given the working title “Collaborative Research on Indigenous Peoples”, specifically targets the Mamanua tribe inhabiting the municipalities of San Juan and St. Bernard in Southern Leyte, while some members of the tribe also live in the highlands of the municipality of Hinunangan.

The research program is under the Education Sustainable Development (ESD) arm of UNESCO, of which aim is to provide a literacy scheme that targets a college education for the Mamanua. This will cover funding and other educational mechanisms for the tribe.

Meanwhile, prior to UNESCO collaboration, the Southern Leyte State University-San Juan (SLSU) and the Korean Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) from Korea have their partnership for more than six years, particularly on Child Development Program (CDP).

The partnership started in January 17, 2011 as reflected on the Memorandum of Agreement signed by the Municipal Mayor of St.Bernard and the Campus Administrator of SLSU-San Juan.

The project is entitled Academic Enhancement Activity for CDP wherein the beneficiaries are the 8 barangays of the municipality of St.Bernard and one barangay from the municipality of San Juan.

The said activity is participated in by 256 recipients from kindergarten to high school.

It is noted that last year, the CDP beneficiaries increased from 256 to 429,to include eight (8) university scholars. The program’s main objective is to enhance students’ academic performance. It likewise includes medical and dental mission and summer bible school, bringing transformative education for societal transformation.