by Jim Paul M. Belgado, Sta. Lourdes National High School

October 28, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd)-MIMAROPA Region celebrated the virtual Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Month Celebration by highlighting the milestone accomplishments of its five IPEd-implementing Schools Division Offices (SDOs) amid the pandemic.

Anchored on the theme, “Kasaysayan, Karunungan, at Wika ng mga Katutubong Pamayanan: Mga Saligan ng Katutubong Pagkakakilanlan at Tulay Tungo sa Inklusibong Kaunlaran,” the virtual event was livestreamed via DepEd-MIMAROPA Facebook page.

Its main highlight were the presentations of the IPEd Program wherein different IP groups and tribes were showcased like the Mangyans of SDO Occsidental and Oriental Mindoro; the Batak and Tagbanua of Puerto Princesa; the Palaw’an of Palawan; and the Bantoanon of Romblon.

“Sa tulong ng ating Kagawaran at ng mga katutubong komunidad, naglunsad tayo ng kontekstuwalisadong pagtuturo gamit ang radyo at trompa upang maihatid at maipagpatuloy ang pagkatuto ng ating mga mag-aaral kahit hindi sila lumabas ng bahay,” Jeffrey Anthony Reyes, Regional IPEd focal person said.

Some of these contextualized learning materials include the Gabay ng Ortograpiya ng mga Katutubong Tagbanua, Calamian Tagbanua, Asi, Onhan, Tawbuid, Alangan, Asi, Buhid, Hanunuo, Iraya, at Ini, along with localized lesson plans in various subjects and models of traditional ethnic houses that contain instruments for music and arts and other indigenous tools and implements.

With the formulation of DepEd Order 62, s. 2011 known as the National Indigenous Peoples Education Framework, the Department institutionalized the IPEd Program.

Maria Lourie Victor, Senior Technical Assistant and Head of the Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO) in DepEd Central Office, stipulated the guiding principles of the program such as the recognition of the rights of indigenous communities, their active participation, and their empowerment towards fulfilling their goals.

“Sa ganitong paraan ng pagpapasigla ng kasaysayan, karunungan, at wika, umiigting ang katutubong pagkakakilanlan at nagiging buhay ang inklusibong kaunlaran sa pang-araw-araw na buhay at karanasan ng mga katutubong kabataan at pamayanan,” she added.

Furthermore, Chief Education Supervisor Mariflor B. Musa of the Curriculum and Learning Management Division, stressed that the said framework supports DepEd’s policy of inclusion that “no child will be left behind”.

“Mahalaga na nakasasabay ang mga indigenous learners sa mainstream education na may mataas na pagtingin sa sarili at naipagmamalaki ang sariling kultura o tribu,” Musa noted.

Meanwhile, Regional Director Nicolas Capulong, PhD, CESO III, Director IV, thanked the IP leaders and elders for their guidance and for their teachings that helped today’s generation to have an education that is anchored on the social and cultural context of indigenous learners.

He also expressed his gratitude to the IPEd teachers for their sacrifices, while leaving a word of advice to the indigenous youth.

“Magsumikap at magsipag na maabot ang inyong mga pangarap, at huwag ikahiya ang kinagisnang kaugalian; bagkus, atin itong ipagmalaki, panatilihin, at paunlarin sapagkat ito ang inyong pagkakakilanlan.”

This year’s celebration is the 25th year of the Indigenous People’s Rights Act since it was approved on October 29, 1997, which aims to “recognize, protect, and promote the rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) and for other purposes.”

In 2021, DepEd marked the first decade of IP Education Program with 2.5 million learners served.

SDO-Puerto Princesa, with Public Schools District Supervisor Imelda C. Oblan as the IPEd focal person, was the host division for the regional IP month celebration 2022.

– Jim Paul M. Belgado, Sicsican NHS, SDO-PPC