Project Epanaw launched to boost awareness on IPS

By Marissa M. Cabato

BAGUIO CITY – The nationwide simultaneous launch of  Project Epanaw was held March 21 to boost awareness of indigenous peoples.
    Project Epanaw is a collection of three coffee table books entitled Pagkilala (Recognize), Paggalang (Respect) and Pagtaguyod (Promote). Epanaw is a local dialect of the IPs in Mindanao which means journey.
    The committee on indigenous people’s concerns (CIPC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) supported the  regional launch in SM Baguio and BIMAAK Hall at Harrison Road, considering pandemic health protocols.
    Ryan Mangusan, private sector representative of the RDC and co-chair of CIPC, expressed the committee’s support to Project Epanaw -- a collaboration of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Dept. of Tourism (DOT).
    He said the “project is timely in the midst of erroneous entries about indigenous peoples (IPs) specially about Igorots in learning materials, the use of IP terminologies to promote brands or products such as sandals and the counterfeiting of our intricately woven fabrics.”
    Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang, House committee on indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples chairperson said “the books will bring awareness on culture of IPs at a bigger scale and will educate especially the non-    IPs on the cultural diversity of the Philippines.”
    Lawyer Marlon Bosantog, regional director of NCIP, said the IPs are on a journey towards recognition of their self-identity and correction of historical injustices.
    He added the history and identity of the Philippines as a nation cannot be determined without understanding the identity of IPs and their ancestral domain.
    IPs contributed to national patrimony through their set of self-governance systems and practices that protected their ancestral domains and resources, he added.
    The CIPC serves as the platform under the RDC for the promotion of development concerns of IPs in the Cordillera. NCIP is the chair of the committee while the National Economic Development Authority serves as its secretariat.