COTABATO CITY—Minister Melanio Ulama of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA) led Monday, Oct. 3, the beating of a gong to officially open the celebration of this year’s indigenous Peoples’ Month.
Ulama beat the gong three times which he said symbolizes the unity of the IP, Moro, and Christians in the Bangsamoro region.
“I am proud to be called as Bangsamoro,” he said.
“Dito ipinapakita na ninyo sa ating mga bisita at sa amin na tayong mga IPs ay nagkakaisa,” Ulama told the IPs who participated in event held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in this city.
One of the highlights of the month-long celebration is Minister Ulama’s State of the IP Address which he will deliver on Oct. 8 at Upi Municipal Gymnasium.
Other activities prepared for the month include medical mission and outreach program, legal aid, free birth registration and consultation, and competitions such as weaving, photo and painting, tribal music, laro ng lahi, and Gabi ng Katutubo.
This year’s IP month celebration carries the theme: “Katutubong Karapatan, Kultura, at Tradisyon, Sama-samang Kilalanin at Ipaglaban.”
In his video message, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim emphasized that the IP are the “keepers” of the region’s valuable treasures such as the culture, traditions, values, and the spirit of love for the environment.
“Allow me to reiterate to all of you that the indigenous peoples are always part of the bigger picture in which the Bangsamoro leadership draws motivation on how to envision our over-all progress and development,” Ebrahim said.
The Bangsamoro Organic Law provides that the Bangsamoro Government recognizes the rights of the indigenous peoples and shall adopt measures for the promotion and protection of their rights. (Myrna Tepadan/BIO
