THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) vowed to support the enhancement of the tribal Kadayawan Village to empower Indigenous People (IP) as well as the improvement of the Magsaysay Park.
The opening of the tribal village during last year’s Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival was a successful event as more Dabawenyos learned more about their culture and tradition.
“The Kadayawan Village is in line with the Davao City’s goal to become the center of the culture and arts in the Philippines,” Marichu Tellano, NCCA deputy executive director, said at Kapihan sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA) yesterday, July 20, Davao City.
Tellano said the village showcases the 11 tribes' different tribal houses, and it is more than just a tourist attraction but a window to the rich past of Davao's 11 tribes.
She also said that with the full support of NCCA’s executive director Rico S. Pableo, Jr., they will enhance the village to support and sustain the cultural hub o help the indigenous people group.
Tellano underscored that the plan of enhancing the village means that it would not focus only on the hub but also on Magsaysay Park as a whole.
The Commission on Election (Comelec) Office inside the park is planned to be turned into galleries, and some part of the village will be altered into museums and workshop areas.
She also noted that the amphitheater will also be open not only for the Lumads but also for local artists, or even young Dabawenyos who seek to showcase their talents.
“In line with helping the indigenous people group, the NCCA also accepted project proposals as well from the indigenous people for their betterment,” she explained.
She added that the arts and cultural project proposal is for everyone including the indigenous people. She said that it could help Davao in being the center for culture and the arts as they continue with the NCCA mandate of empowering artists and cultural workers.
“In the fulfillment of continuing NCCA’s mandate to uphold, preserve and progress the Philippine arts and culture, and in Mindanao, we are doing our very best to have future plans for the betterment of this sanctuary,” Tellano said. (Abigail Joyce C. Cahiwat, MSU-Marawi Intern)