TUBLAY, BENGUET –Pantawid Pamilya Indigenous Peoples’ leaders of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) congregate for the annual IPs summit of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

IP Parent Leaders/Beneficiaries representing sixteen ethnic groups from the different municipalities of the six provinces attended the event. The highlights of the summit are the discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples, sharing of the participants of their own ethnic traditions and practices and stories of indigenous community resilience and successes using indigenous knowledge systems and practices. The discussion and sharing have further expanded the knowledge of the participants on the different culture and practices of IPs in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

A representative from the National Statistics Office – CAR, Mr. Gerard Tolito discussed Administrative Order No. 3, Series of 2004 which is the Rules and Regulations Governing Registration of Acts and Events Concerning Civil Status of Indigenous Peoples.

The Department of Education – Benguet also sent Division Supervisor Marcelo Talamayan to educate the Pantawid Pamilya IPs leaders on Alternative Learning System (ALS) which is highly valuable to IPs who live in the remote areas of the region where schools are far from their homes.

During the summit, a pilot-test of Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on FDS and Module Assessment for Indigenous People Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries was also conducted.

In the said event, each IPs group proudly shared their traditional music and dances that captured the hearts and minds of the guests and facilitators especially those who do not belong to any IPs groups.

The summit is part of the DSWD’s goal to advance the degree of integration of Indigenous Peoples towards significant and active participation to sustainable development programs while protecting and preserving the culture of the IPs. # DSWD-CAR, SOCIAL MARKETING UNIT, Jomel Anthony V. Gutierrez