CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) yesterday launched Project Epanaw: The Journey of our Indigenous Peoples at the Panagdadapun Pavilion here.
NCIP Provincial Director Henry B. Tayaban said "Epanaw" means journey, a journey which signifies the long road that culture has been treading on since time immemorial and the rest of the way that future generations of Indigenous Peoples still have to travel.
"Project Epanaw consists of three coffee table books, namely: Pagkilala (Recognition), Paggalang (Respect) and Pagtaguyod, (Promote)" Tayaban explained.
Director Tayaban explained that Pagkilala introduces the profiles of each of the 101 tribes in the country, their culture, their festivals and rituals.
Paggalang according to Tayaban discusses the Indigenous Knowledge Practices System or IKPS. It highlights the need to respect the IPs whatever status of living they have.
"Pagtaguyod features travel destinations in ancestral domains, the rights of the IPs being the owners if these eco-tourism sites must be respected and they should also protect these areas," Tayaban further said.
For his part, Governor Dakilo Carlo E. Cua, who received the three coffee table books emphasized the importance of unity of the tribes despite the differences.
“Kahit tayo ay magkakaiba sa salita, lahi o kultura, dapat tayo ay magkaisa sa iisang pangarap, dahil ang pangarap natin dito sa Quirino ay magkaisa ang bawat tribu ng Quirino para sa mas mapayapang kinabukasan,” Cua said.
(Even if we have different languages, race or culture, we must be united in one dream because our dream here in our province is to unite all the tribes for a peaceful future.)
According to Tayaban, their office has accepted the recommendation of Gov. Cua for the launching of Project Epanaw that will exclusively feature the different tribes in the province.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) announced that the NCIP Photo Exhibit will be open to the public until July 19, 2021 at the Pagdadapunan Pavilion.
The PTO has advised the people who will be visiting the exhibit to observe the safety protocols such as wearing of facemask, observing social distancing, and washing of hands regularly. (MDCT/TCB/PIA Quirino)
