Casiguran Aurora, Aug. 11 -- The Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) plans to enter into a joint management agreement (JMA) with indigenous peoples (IPs) within its jurisdiction, President and Chief Executive Officer Gil G. Taway IV bared in a radio interview on Sunday.

The initiative, patterned after the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority's (SBMA) partnership with the Aeta community, will focus on the 12,242-hectare Parcel 2 of the ecozone. Parcel 2, home to six indigenous settlements, is envisioned by APECO as a hub for employment, ecotourism, and environmental conservation.

The proposed JMA will promote shared decision-making between APECO and the IP communities, ensuring that economic activities align with thei...