MUNICIPAL councilors in La Trinidad, Benguet, want to preserve its cultural traces.
“If possible let us stand with our own cultural heritage and for the children to be molded as many are affected by the social globalization today,” stated Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Pendon Thompson.
The IP representative expressed the need for an active program for the preservation and promotion of the history of the Ibaloi as the first settlers in Benguet’s capital town.
“At least we could start with our own records, because if we will further look deeply on history, there are quite a few to site that is why we need to start now,” stated Thompson in the local dialect.
A proposed ordinance authored by Thompson and Councilor Roderick Awingan stressed that written and oral history though incomplete had shown La Trinidad had been in the limelight of various historical events in shaping the Cordillera region as political unit. It was initially established as the center of the Cordillera during the Spanish regime long before other communities where recognized in the region.
Institutionalized programs includes inventory and documentation of the tangible and intangible cultural property and heritage.
This includes cultural treasures, important cultural property, heritage sites, historical shrine, monuments and landmarks. Also included are the Living treasures referring to cultural experts, carriers of customs and traditions, bearers of traditional skills and techniques, artists or the living repositories of cultural and traditional knowledge.
Aside from the documentation, the local government seeks to sustain traditional arts and crafts as active and viable sources of income for the community.
Capability programs are included with the coordination of the National Commission on culture and arts, Department of Tourism and Department of Trade and Industry.
Moreover, a La Trinidad Heritage Conservation and Protection Board to be formed in charge to promulgate a cultural heritage development plan of the municipality.
An annual cultural heritage summit is also eyed to highlight discussions, updates and inventory on cultural heritage programs.
The funding for the proposed ordinance will be included in the annual appropriation of the municipality under the mayor’s office and the tourism sector.