LA TRINIDAD -- National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Commissioner for Cordillera and Ilocos Gaspar Cayat is pushing for proper documentation of the true and genuine colors that will represent the identity of each Indigenous Peoples (IP) or Indigenous Cultural Communities.
During the celebration of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, Cayat said the NCIP is going to work closely with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Department of Education, particularly on their Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) program, and the local government units to properly document the color combinations in the attire of each tribe or each IP group.
"We should properly document color combinations of these IP group so that we will use this as our identity during celebrations. Corresponding ordinances should be passed to cover the combinations or colors of each IP group. Right now, I want to direct all NCIP personnel to come up with the guidance of the documentation of this color combination for each IP group in Benguet. So that we will have our own identity," said Cayat.
He said the proper documentation of genuine combination of colors should represent identity of each IPs.
"There are those who are using commercialized version na hindi tama iyong meaning. Every LGU or community must craft their own law na hindi maabuso iyong sinusulong nating proper identification of attire of each IP group," Cayat added.
Cayat said the proper documentation cover Cordillera and Ilocos where the mumbaki or mambunongs (elders) will serve as consultants.
"They have their own IP communities and they know their proper color," he said.
The commissioner also instructed personnel of the NCIP to continuously monitor proper use and wearing of every garments.
Cayat said the traditional bahag or G-string used by men should not be utilized for decoration and there are proper uses for the attire of IPs.
He said the documentation is not limited to color combination of the attire of IPs but also include traditions and documentation of IP political structures, citing all four bundles of rights as focus, namely, rights to ancestral domains and lands, self-governance and empowerment, social justice and human rights and cultural integrity.