BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Lawmakers representing the Cordillera are urging the Department of Education to make a thorough review of its textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials to check for misinformation about Igorots and other indigenous peoples.
House Resolution 1552, which condemns the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in learning materials being used in the country’s educational system, was filed by the following lawmakers:
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- Rep. Allen Jesse Mangaoang (Kalinga), chair of the House Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples
- Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr. (Mountain Province)
- Rep. Solomon Chungalao (Ifugao)
- Rep. Elias Bulut Jr. (Apayao)
- Rep. Eric go Yap (ACT party-list), legislative caretaker of Benguet
They said some learning modules and instructional materials containing erroneous information and portrayal of Igorots have circulated online and have gone viral.
IPs throughout the Cordillera Region lambasted the said materials.
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They said Igorots, based on the learning materials that have gone viral, continue to be maligned and described very incorrectly because of their physical appearance, fashion, attire and capacity to finish a sound education.
"Such portrayals and descriptions of the Igorots have immeasurably alarmed, offended and annoyed people in the Cordillera," they said in their petition.
The lawmakers added that if the misinformation is not corrected immediately, Igorots will continue to suffer discrimination.
They added DepEd should make it a policy to help creating awareness of the identities and culture of the country's indigenous peoples.