LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza will grace the 30th Cordillera Foundation Day Program on Saturday, July 15, at the Benguet Sports Center Multipurpose Gym in Wangal.
With the theme, “CAR@30: A Celebration of Cordillera Unity,” the month-long celebration was launched through a kapihan last June 28 at the Provincial Capitol.
The Sectoral Committee on Indigenous Peoples’ Concerns of the Regional Development Council chaired by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) spearheads the celebrations to be hosted by the Benguet Provincial Government.
Apart from the program, a parade will be conducted at 7 a.m. while a whole day Coffee Pavilion and Trade Exhibit will take place at the Wangal Sports Center spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Benguet Provincial Government, and the Department of Agriculture.
At 5 p.m. a fashion show will be held at the Events Center in SM Baguio showcasing ethnic-inspired attires.
One of the highlights of the events is the Unity Gong Relay that kicked off on Saturday, July 8, at the Provincial Capitol and will end July 14 through a fellowship night at the same place.
The activity features the passing of the symbolic unity gong around the Cordillera provinces as a call for unity towards achieving an autonomous status of the Cordillera region.
For a widespread celebration, there will also be provincial celebrations during the month thru the conduct of information education campaign activities on regional autonomy and development alongside with tree planting activities of the NCIP educational assistance program and the Department of Social Welfare and Development Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
The University of the Philippines Baguio Cordillera Studies Center will host the Second International Conference on Cordillera Studies from July 12 to 14 at the CAP-John Hay, Baguio City.
A Cordillera Got Talent showdown will take place region wide on July 14. On the same day, there will also be a Youth Concert for Regional Autonomy at the Benguet State University.
On July 27, a conference will be held at the Benguet State University on the History of Struggle against the Chico Dam and Cellophil Project.
The month-long festivities will culminate on Friday, July 28, thru a Cultural Summit tagged, “Celebrating Cordillera Heritage” at the Gov. Ben Palispis Hall, Provincial Capitol. (PIA)