Valuable Indigenous Peoples' Forum in Baler 2010

The first ever Valuable Indigenous Peoples (VIP) Forum was finally held in Baler, Aurora on June 24- 25, 2010. Different regions from the Philippines joined the activity to celebrate and honor the value of indigenous peoples (IPs) in our society. IPs are mostly quoted as minorities and marginalized sector of our society, but during the VIP Forum, IPs were referred to as "valuable" people of our country. Their significance to our history was also highlighted in the forum. They were represented by three major tribes in the country. They are the Igorot in Luzon, Ati in Visayas and Higaonon in Mindanao.

The activity opened an opportunity for the IPs to present their needs and share their learning experiences from the Community Development Program that ASKI, TSKI and HSPFI extended to their communities. IP leaders articulately presented the socio- economic conditions of their communities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The presentations primarily covered issues concerning education, infrastructures, livelihood, health and culture. Stakeholders from National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Provincial Government of Aurora Province and Local Government Unit (LGU) of Maria Aurora also shared their comments and suggestions based on the IP leaders' presentations and most of them agreed to support the IPs with their projects.

On the second day of the forum, the participants visited Galintuja, Maria Aurora, Aurora, an Igorot community assisted by ASKI. Here, the participants were able to witness a fruitful sharing between IP leaders of the Igorot, Ati and Higaonon tribes. The community also prepared a short program that included Igorot native dance, songs and poems rendered by the youth, IP leaders and tribal elders.

"We are thankful that we finally met our fellow IP brothers and sisters." This was quoted from an opening prayer by an Ati leader from Ilo-ilo. They felt proud and highly valued because of the importance that the forum gave them. Today, they can proudly express to everyone, that they are the valuable indigenous peoples of the country.

The forum, funded by Tear Fund New Zealand, was hosted by ASKI, and organized by ASKI Skills and Knowledge Institute in partnership with Hagdan sa Pag-uswag Foundation Inc. (HSPFI) and Taytay sa Kauswagan (TSKI).

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