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In commemoration of this year’s National Indigenous Peoples Month, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII once again conducted an Indigenous People (IP) Summit, participated in by the different IP groups in region 7.

Decina Nida Salingay, chieftain of the Eskaya Tribe in Candijay, Bohol provides a brief history about their tribe during the Indigenous Peoples Summit held by the DSWD-7.

The Eskaya Tribe in Candijay, Bohol; Bajau Community in Dauis, Bohol; Magahat Tribe in Basay, Negros Oriental; Tribu Bukidnon in Ayungon, Negros Oriental; and the Sama Bajau in Cebu City, Cebu who participated in the activity are among the IP groups covered under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of the DSWD.

The two-day IP summit aims to recognize the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous People who preserve Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices, demonstrate positive traditional tribal Filipino culture and build affirmative influence in the cultural community where they are inherent in.

On the first day of the IP summit, the participating IP groups performed their respective tribal dances during the Monday convocation held at the field office.

During the activity, participants were discussed with the basic concept of gender sensitivity and the means of addressing possible gender-based violence and other gender related issues that may be faced by both men and women of the different tribal groups that might lead to non-compliance to the Pantawid Program conditions.

Preparing a catch up plan to address program issues and concern and developing response/commitment from the partners in the next year’s program implementation were also part of the workshop in the activity.

Also present during the summit were representatives from the different partner stakeholders of the department such as the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Agriculture (DA), PhilHealth, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) Cebu Provincial Office, and the Badjao Integrated Development Program of the Presentation Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the second day of the summit, two IP groups were declared as model IP Community for their responsible adherence to the Pantawid program conditions and their excellent performance in developing their communities through and in partnership with the different stakeholders of the program.

The two Model IP Community are the Eskaya Tribe of Candijay, Bohol and the Sama Bajau of Cebu City, Cebu. ###

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