Ethnic Dumagat school to be built in Sierra Madre

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office disclosed it will establish a specialized elementary school in the realm of the Sierra Madre that will cater to ethnic “Dumagat” children. This was disclosed by Regional Director Benito Tumamao citing the remote and isolated coastal municipality of Palanan, Isabela, the location for the specialized school. As this developed Ifugao Congressman Teddy Baguilat, House chair for the ethnic communities, wind up his weeklong assessment visit to Palanan in further securing recommendations in implementing cultural-focused education. Tumamao said DepEd will hire Dumagat teachers and local tribal intellectuals to educate their young. Tumamao said young Dumagat children are mostly discouraged to attend school since they are not in equal footing with other children in the poblacion areas. Ethnic children will be given specialized Dumagat instructions to sustain their cultural traits.