Indigenous peoples are among the marginalized sectors in society. They account for a sizeable number in the population of a locality, thus, making their presence felt. Often, these so-called IPs roam the city streets with young children who may very well be knocking on car windows or catching your attention by nudging your elbows. Be that as it may, they are human beings with their own needs, albeit their lives may be different from ours.
In Negros Oriental, there are three kinds of tribes – the Ata, Bukidnon, and Korolanos. The common characteristics of IPs, as we have known them, are dark skin, curly or kinky hair, which can easily make them distinguishable from the rest of the populace. But, wait until you come across the IPs of the so-called vegetable capital of the province.
Canlaon City, which is a good five-hour trip by land from Dumaguete City, is one of the predominantly inhabited places of the Ata and Bukidnon tribes. Approximately 168 kilometers from Dumaguete City, it is considered as a fourth class city and consists of 12 barangays.
National government agencies, civic organizations, as well as the local government unit itself have extended their services specifically for these indigenous peoples in terms of scholarship programs.
As mandated in Section 20 of Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, “The government shall establish full development/empowerment of the ICCs/IPs’ own institutions and initiatives and, where necessary, provide the resources needed therefore.”
Anchored on this provision, various accredited technical vocational institutions have been implementing such qualifications through the skills that they have been offering, like preparing how to cook hot meals, performing facial treatment, as well as nail care services. Among the institutions that have partnered with government, specifically the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), are Teamskills School for Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, Inc. and Cuttin’ Loose Beauty Culture, Inc. leading to Cookery National Certification (NC) II, Beauty Care National Certification (NC) II, and Nail Care Services National Certification (NC) II.
For this particular training, programs for both the tourism and health sectors were offered in the various sitios located in Barangay Masulog, Canlaon City. According to public information officer Georgette Malagar, contrary to the popular notion of IPs being illiterate or untrained, they are now actually educated and are socially oriented. “They would still need further development with respect to skills competencies, as well as other academic interventions. But, with the progress they are making from the trainings, they should be able to harness their skills in due time,” explained Malagar.
The sources of income of these IPs are farming, specifically vegetables like carrots, string beans, cabbage, pechay, sayote, cucumber, eggplant, bananas, and root crops. Malagar gathered that they also plant rice and sweet corn, likewise sources of staple food.
Analiza Eleccion is a recipient of Cookery NC II in preparing and cooking hot meals. Determined to augment the family’s source of income, she took the opportunity to equip herself with the competence in cooking. A mother of three, she works as a daycare staff at Canlaon City Social Welfare and Development, rendering at least three hours a day with a monthly income of P4,000. Initially starting in community service, she later honed her cooking skills, progressing to preparing meals for many people.
To date, she has served as cook in the Christmas party of Masulog National High School with 72 persons, the general assembly of the National Commission of Indigenous Peoples with 400 persons, and the general assembly of the People’s Organization at Masulog Agro-Forestry Farmers Association with 245 persons. “I am just awaiting the tool kits that will be given to us and the scholarship allowance from TESDA so I can start my small food business soon,” she enthused.
Like Eleccion, Maritess Babor is also a recipient of Cookery NC II in preparing and cooking hot meals. Incidentally, Babor is a niece of Eleccion who served as the latter’s assistant in their various community endeavors. A mother of two, the 27-year-old Babor resides in Barangay Masulog, Canlaon City. Her husband works as a farmer and she found it appropriate to contribute to the family coffers, however meager or minimal.
Through her exposure to clients requesting for her services, Babor learned the value of entrepreneurial competencies to better handle the business. “I also learned to appreciate the significance of human capital,” she added. According to Babor, the IPs are quite particular with their tribal traditional practices, one of which is the culture of “collectivism” where the saying, “one for all, all for one” is prevalent until today. | NWI
