LUNA, Apayao – The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Apayao held the 27th Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month celebration in Sitio Bayugao, Luna, Apayao on October 30, 2024, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation while addressing community needs.
The event drew over a hundred participants, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and youth members from indigenous communities.
Led by PENR Officer Rainier D. Balbuena, the activity honored Apayao’s indigenous communities with the theme “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan, at Parangalan” (“Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge: Value, Protect, and Honor”).
During the celebration, attendees were encouraged to participate in the ongoing maintenance of a 1-hectare plantation, underscoring its role in promoting ecological balance.
The event also featured an informative session led by Planning Officer II Randy Basquez, providing insights on the Biosphere Reserve of the yApayaos (BRyA), eagle conservation initiatives, and sustainable environmental practices, all aimed at fostering a resilient and environmentally conscious community.
Chief Administrative Officer Crizzane Joy Yturzaeta expressed gratitude to the community, acknowledging the essential role of indigenous people in preserving Apayao’s cultural legacy and natural resources. “Indigenous peoples are pillars of culture and tradition,” she stated, stressing the importance of recognizing and celebrating their contributions.
Local leaders, including the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Eduard O. Maga-ao and Bayugao Elementary School’s Teacher-in-Charge Riel Ganduli, spoke on the importance of forest conservation and sustainable practices, encouraging IP parents to protect natural resources for future generations.
PENRO Apayao Indigenous Peoples Month celebration underscores its commitment to cultural respect, environmental stewardship, and community solidarity, furthering the shared goal of sustainability and empowerment for Apayao’s indigenous communities.
Additionally, the distribution of BBM rice, coordinated by PENRO Apayao in collaboration with National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Apayao, led by Engr. Samuel Bahiwag, was conducted. This initiative, part of NIA’s assistance program for indigenous peoples and beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, aimed to provide essential food aid to the Aeta community and support their basic nutritional needs. By Joyce Arian Soria
