Araw Hospitality Group and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples scale their partnership to support Indigenous Cultural Communities across multiple regions in 2026
Via GRAPHIC PLUS — After the initial relief deployment on April 25, 2025, for fire-affected Badjao families in Batangas City, Araw Hospitality Group, in coordination with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, is launching a 2026 national replication of the Batangas recovery model to support Indigenous cultural communities across the Philippines.
On April 25, 2025, private and public partners responded to a devastating fire that displaced nearly 100 Badjao families in Sitio Badjaoan, Barangay Malitam, Batangas City. That emergency response, in-kind donations, and financial assistance are now the pilot for a larger, national initiative.
In 2026, Araw Hospitality Group will work with NCIP and local government units to roll out a standardized, culturally sensitive recovery package that can be adapted to other Indigenous Cultural Communities.
The package includes livelihood and skills training, education scholarships, and primary health missions, including psychosocial care, cultural preservation programs, and community disaster preparedness.
“The April 25, 2025, relief was only the first step. We are taking the lessons learned in Batangas to shape a national approach that respects culture, restores livelihoods, and builds long-term resilience for Indigenous communities,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Chairman. “This is about giving communities tools to move from recovery to upward mobility.”
Field validations and community consultations begin Q2 2026 with phased rollouts scheduled in pilot regions through Q4 2026. Media who wish to cover training sessions, housing assessments, or community turnovers can contact the CSR office for schedules.
Araw Hospitality Group is a Philippine hospitality company committed to responsible tourism and community development. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples is the government agency mandated to protect the rights and welfare of Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples.
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