BAGUIO CITY (PIA) – – The National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) led the regional culmination program for the 2023 celebration of Indigenous People’s Month and the observance of the 26th year anniversary of the Indigenous People’s Right Act at the PFVR Gym here on October 26 with a call of empowering IPs towards “Bagong Pilipinas.”
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian, in his keynote message delivered by DSWD – Cordillera Assistant Regional Director for Administration Enrique Gascon, called for unity in the preservation and further enrichment of the diverse cultural heritage and traditions of the country’s IPs and IP communities towards a better future under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The DSWD is one with you in this noble convergence to mainstream our IP brothers and sisters in our society so that they can exercise their rights to self – governance and secure their ancestral domain and ancestral lands,” Gatchalian said.
“As we celebrate IP Month, we must remember that our nation’s cultural and indigenous heritage is a source of immense strength and a powerful beacon for our future. Let us unite to build a Bagong Pilipinas that honors and celebrates the rich cultural and indigenous heritage that has always been at the heart of our nation,” Gatchalian added.
NCIP Executive Director Mervyn Espadero also highlighted the importance of mainstreaming the IPs and IP communities in the Cordillera and the country’s development goals.
NCIP Executive Director Mervyn Espadero also highlighted the importance of mainstreaming the IPs and IP communities in the Cordillera and the country’s development goals.
“Our indigenous communities are the heart and soul of this region. Holding the key to the knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors in ensuring a better future for all”;
NCIP Executive Director Mervyn Espadero highlights the rich cultural and indigenous heritage of the IP communities in the Cordillera during the culmination program of the IP Month celebration on Oct. 26, 2023 at the PFVR Gym in Baguio City. (CCD/PIA CAR)
“In the spirit of unity and progress, let us take this moment to appreciate and learn the indigenous cultures that makes the province of Benguet and entire Cordillera region truly unique. Let us ensure that our rich heritage is safeguarded and that the legacies of our indigenous people are honored, cherished and passed on to the generations to come,” he said.
Let this IP Month celebration be a guiding light towards the new Philippines that our President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has envisioned, Espadero stressed.
The NCIP – CAR led IP delegates from the Cordillera provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, as well as representatives from national government agencies and sectoral groups in a parade from the Malcolm Square, up to Session Road then to The PFVR Gym for the program.
In between the inspirational messages, each Cordillera province presented cultural performance. The program ended with a community dance.
The 2023 IP Month carried the theme, “Enrichment of Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Resources Towards a Brighter Future for the New Philippines”.
New Philippines or Bagong Pilipinas is the overarching theme of the Marcos Administration’s brand of governance and leadership, which calls for deep and fundamental transformations in all sectors of society and government, and fosters the State’s commitment towards the attainment of comprehensive policy reforms and full economic recovery.
Bagong Pilipinas is characterized by a principled, accountable and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society, whose common objective is to realize the goals and aspirations of every Filipino. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
Contingent from Besao, Mountain Province headed by Mayor Bryne Bacwaden present their indigenous cultural chant and dance. (CCD/PIA CAR)
The NCIP – CAR Cultural Performers show their street dancing prowess to the beat of the gongs during the parade in celebration of IP Month 2023 in Baguio City (CCD/PIA CAR)
