CAGAYAN de Oro City has lined up various programs and activities to celebrate the month of October as the 28th National Indigenous Peoples’ Month commemoration.
Nena ‘Bae Rose’ Lumandong, Indigenous Peoples (IP) Focal Person of the City Social Welfare Development Department (CSWD), announced during a City Information Office livestream that they coordinated with the City Museum to conduct a Pamuhat prayer ritual on Oct. 29.
“This is their second year to have this ritual,” said Lumandong, noting the ritual was specifically intended for environmental protection and climate change.
Lumandong also urged tribal leaders to collaborate with the village chiefs (punong barangays) in their respective communities.
“Importante gyud ang ilang roles sa duha, ang atong tribal leader na na recognized og ang kapitan, tungod kay, sila raman na ang mag tinabangay,” said Lumandong.
Here in the city, 17 barangays are home to Higaonon IP communities, stretching from Bisigan to Lumbia, Tumpagon, and San Simon. In District II, the communities include Tablon, FS Catanico, and Balubal, Lumandong said.
“Naa pay incoming na wala pa na validate sa (National Commission on Indigenous Peoples),” she added.
Lumandong emphasized that the city government continues to prioritize education, offering various programs, including the city scholarship program and other forms of educational assistance.
“We also have IP grantees from the city scholars program,” she said.
The City Tourism Office also launched the First Search for the IP Cultural Ambassador and Ambassadress during the recent 75th Charter Day celebration, which featured participants from the four ancestral domains.
