Cordillera Congressmen Filed a Resolution Condemning Erroneous Portrayals of Igorots in DepEd Learning Materials

On February 3, 2021, Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap has released a statement condemning some photos of learning materials that have erroneous content about Igorots. “I strongly condemn these photos circulating online. It is unbelievable that these made its way to the learning modules of our students,” stated in a social media post published by the Benguet Congressional District Office- Cong. Eric Yap Facebook page.

“It is not clear whether it forms part of a textbook, a module or a test sheet, but regardless of its form and context, this is an insult, an obvious form of discrimination and a mockery of our rich culture in the Cordillera,” the congressman added. “I call on the Department of Education to undertake a massive review of its textbooks and other materials used in schools.”

The House Resolution No. 1552

Furthermore, just on Monday, February 8, 2021, the PIA Cordillera and Congressman Allen Jesse Capuyan Mangaoang, the Chairman of the Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities & Indigenous Peoples, through separate Facebook posts, revealed House Resolution No. 1552:

“A resolution condemning the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials, and directing the Department of Education to make a thorough review of all textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials and correct any text which depict in a discriminatory way Igorots and indigenous peoples and to instruct the authors and publishers of these materials to withdraw them from circulation to stop the perpetration of this misleading notion and to prevent further discrimination.”

The said House Resolution was authored by Cordillera Congressmen including Kalinga Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap, Mountain Province Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr., Ifugao Congressman Solomon Chungalao and Apayao Congressman Elias Bulut Jr..

“Such portrayals and descriptions of the Igorots have immeasurably alarmed, offended and annoyed the people in the Cordillera,” stated the  Cordillera Congressmen in the House Resolution No. 1552. Read the full resolution below.

The House Resolution No. 1554

Baguio City Congressman Mark Go, on the other hand, has also filed a resolution since he has been receiving messages and comments about the erroneous and discriminatory statements in some learning materials. He filed House Resolution No. 1554:

“Directing the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture and the House Committee on Indigenous Peoples to Conduct an Inquiry in Aid of Legislation, on the Alleged Discriminatory and Erroneous Statements Against Igorots in Self-learning Modules Distributed by the Department of Education.”

“As the duly elected Representative of Baguio City, it is my duty to uphold the constitution in recognizing, respecting and protecting the rights of the indigenous cultural communities,” the congressman said on an statement published on his official Facebook page. House Resolution No. 1554 has been read on First Reading on Monday, February 8, 2021.

Related Articles:

DepEd Cordillera Director Urges Public to Report Wrong Information About Igorots

DepED-CAR Takes Action on Learning Resources Prejudicial to the Indigenous Peoples of the Region

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Source: PIA Cordillera, Congressman Allen Jesse Capuyan Mangaoang, Benguet Congressional District Office- Cong. Eric Yap, Congressman Mark Go