LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet provincial government and the Cordillera office of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP-CAR) have lined up some fourteen simple but meaningful events for the celebration of the 30th founding anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) this month with the theme CAR@30: A Celebration of Unity.
The activities will jump off with a regionwide information and education campaign on regional autonomy for Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs) anytime from July to November to sustain the gains of partnering with concerned sectors of society to boost the region’s renewed quest for regional autonomy.
The traditional Unity Gong Relay will kick off at the Benguet Provincial Capitol on July 8, 2017, with the Benguet provincial government led by Gov. Crescencio C. Pacalso initiating activities for the said event.
On July 9-14, there will be programs in the different provinces and Baguio City in time for the turnover of the Unity Gong in the said places with the different local governments preparing their respective activities to welcome the Unity Gong and for its transfer from one province to another during the period.
Further, ceremonial tree planting activities will be done in the different provinces and Baguio City on July 9-14 as part of the activities for the arrival of the Unity Gong in their places.
On July 9-31, lawyer Roland P. Calde, NCIP-CAR regional director, revealed that there will also be the separate tree planting activities for their Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program beneficiaries as well as other stakeholders to inculcate in the minds of the youth the importance of contributing to efforts to preserve and protect the region’s environment.
The 2nd International Conference on Cordillera Studies will be held at the CAP John Hay Convention Center on July 12-4 spearheaded by the University of the Philippines (UP) Cordillera Studies Center.
The youth will be given a wider participation in this year’s Cordillera month celebration with the conduct of the Cordillera Got Talent on July 14 followed by the Youth Concert for Regional Autonomy at the Benguet State University (BSU) gymnasium at around 5 pm of the same day.
Pacalso will be hosting Cordillera officials to a fellowship night at around 6 pm on July 14 at the Ben Palispis Hall as a prelude to the main program the following day.
On July 15, delegations from the different parts of the Cordillera will participate in the Cordillera Day grand parade from the Benguet Provincial Capitol grounds up to the Wangal Sports complex where the founding anniversary program will be held.
Participants for the CAR founding anniversary program will also have a chance to witness the coffee pavilion and trade exhibit which will be done simultaneously with the program of the day followed by the Shayoney fashion show at the SM City Baguio events center at around 5 pm of the same day.
The activities will culminate with a Cultural Summit which celebrates Cordillera heritage on July 28 at the Ben Palispis Hall of the Provincial Capitol. By Dexter A. see