SOLID NORTH PL TO LGUS—HELP IN IP KNOWLEDGE PRESERVATION

A ranking member of the House committee on indigenous cultural communities and indigenous peoples called on local government units across the country to help record the knowledge of IP communities in their jurisdiction to prevent the erasure of a key part of the country’s heritage.

“LGUs can play a big role in helping preserve indigenous knowledge. In the face of the real threat of erasure of indigenous identity, I hope that our LGUs will be more active in documenting the rich and deep knowledge of our IPs,” said Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos, vice chairperson of the committee.

She said that as government frontliners and given their regular contact with indigenous communities, LGUs are in a position to access community elders and holders of indigenous knowledge systems and processes.

Admitting that IKSP preservation is rigorous work, the lawmaker urged LGUs to collaborate with researchers from the academe and other institutions.

“In doing so we can also ensure that our recording process is as systematic as possible and adheres to the ethics and respect for culture necessary in these endeavors,” Bernos said.

According to Bernos, the country could also benefit from IP knowledge, which spans many areas including environmental stewardship, traditional farming, herbal medicine, weather forecasting, and community governance.

“Our environmental, climate, and agricultural policies could be guided by IKSPs. Rather than relegating these to the sidelines, we should employ them to complement our own processes,” the solon said.

Earlier, Bernos lauded a school in Abra for offering weaving as a subject for senior high school students, including lessons on natural dyeing, weaving and embroidery featuring designs that reflect the culture of the Tingguian (Itneg) people.

She called on more schools to follow in integrating IKSPs into their curriculum.

The country celebrates Indigenous Peoples Month every October.