Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Town to revive cultural practices to uplift people from poverty
HUNGDUAN, Ifugao -- While the National Government is undertaking all measures to break down the shackles of debt that has kept many Filipinos in the grip of cyclical poverty, the Municipal Government here is revitalizing cultural practices in lifting the people from poverty.
Hungduan Mayor Hilario Bumangabang said there are many cultural practices here that need to be revived which "would help in uplifting the economy of the people."
He cited the "baddang," a famous Ifugao practice that does not involve money yet many things can be done when people render free service for the good of the community. This practice is commonly done in building or transferring a house, in ricefield activities such as planting, weeding and harvesting, during wakes and many others.
Aimed at showcasing the efforts of the Hungduan Municipal Government in reviving the traditional practices, an activity dubbed "Baddanga di bimmoble ad Hungduan" was participated in by the people from the nine barangays here to help each other in relocating nine native houses strategically constructed beside the Municipal Hall. These houses would serve as barangay booths during the annual Tungoh Ad Hungduan Festival from April 17-19.
Municipal Tourism Officer Rowena Sicat said 50 delegates from the International Conference on Indigenous Peoples (ICIP) witnessed the activity.
Bumagabang said they also want to strengthen the custom where members of the community voluntarily help each other. "This is one way of economizing the meager income of the people because there would be no need for them to spend for labor because the community people will give free service to their neighbors," he said.
Such practices would improve the economic standing of the people with less spending, he added.
"We are proud to officially recognize this unique practice of our old folks because we need to preserve this good custom and tradition for our new generation to emulate," the mayor said.
