The "AKBAY" program, active from July 2021 to June 2024 in Brgy. Barra, Lucena City, Quezon, is an essential extension initiative spearheaded by the College of Teacher Education at Southern Luzon State University, in collaboration with the National Commission on Indigenous People. This program, led by Project Leader John Paolo R. Alvarez and supported by key Project Members Dr. Antonio V. Romana and Asst. Prof. Federico A. Ceribo, aims to empower the Sama-Bajau tribe through a comprehensive approach focusing on education, skill development, environmental awareness, physical fitness, and health education. The program has achieved considerable success, with participants enhancing their literacy, enabling them to vote and sign their names, gaining knowledge in hygiene practices to improve their health, and learning basket-making skills for additional income. Additionally, it has encouraged sports participation while preserving traditional dances, and fostered a positive shift in attitudes towards education, marked by increased school enrollment rates among Sama-Bajau children. Despite facing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, scheduling conflicts, and limited access to clean water, the program highlights the transformative power of education and health awareness in empowering marginalized communities. The long-term success of the AKBAY program relies on continued outreach, addressing challenges, maintaining community engagement, and ensuring the sustainability of its initiatives, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency among the Sama-Bajau, paving the way for a healthier and brighter future.
