Mt. Province Cong. Dalog, Jr. urges DepEd to correct erroneous information about the Igorots

Photo Courtesy || Maximo "Maxi" Y. Dalog, Jr.

Cordillera - Mt. Province Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr. has wrote a letter to Department of Education (DepEd) secretary Leonor M. Briones to amend erroneous portrayal of Igorots in learning modules dated February 4, 2021.

In his letter, Cong. Dalog specifically mentioned one learning module authored by Dr. Felicidad N. Remo and Ms. Avelina S. Espelita who in their book had described the Igorots as having curly hair. 

"We disagree on such account because in reality, a person with curly hair does not truly represent the actual appearance of an Igorot," Dalog pointed out. 

"We wish to informed the aforementioned authors that physically, we Igorots are generally similar with the Filipino majority like that of Dr. Remo and Ms. Espelita," he added. 

Dalog expressed the majority sentiments of his fellow Igorots on social media regarding some circulating photos of wrong portrayal of Igorots in learning modules. 

"We are immeasurably alarmed, offended and annoyed by such portrayal and description of us, just because we are Igorots. In view hereof, I earnestly urge the Department of Education to look into this matter by investigating/reprimanding those responsible and correct errors in the books and modules," Dalog said. 

The Mt. Province lawmaker has also reminded his fellow Igorots to always treat others equally and fairly.

"...Being Igorots does not give us the liberty to discriminate other, too. After all, we are one human race created into the image and likeness of God. Therefore, we all should treat each other equally and fairly," Dalog wrote in his official Facebook page.

Photo Courtesy || Maximo "Maxi" Y. Dalog, Jr.

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DepEd Cordillera top official urges immediate correction of wrong depiction of Igorots

Photo Courtesy || DepEd Tayo Cordillera

Cordillera - “When a wrong concept keeps repeated, this might be accepted as the truth that is why we need to respond to it right away and for those responsible to correct it immediately.”

This was stressed during DepEd CAR’s Convocation yesterday by DepEd CAR Regional Director Estela L. Cariňo relative to the issue on some modules circulating on social media over the past few days maligning, discriminating, and wrongly depicting Igorots.

As an Igorot herself, Director Cariňo urgently called on the attention of the regions and schools division offices using such modules to make the necessary and urgent changes.  

The DepEd official added that Cordillerans may contribute to the wrong concept and incorrect depiction of Igorots if they keep silent. 

“I am an Igorot and proud of it and we need to respond to such issues and not keep mum about it,” Cariňo said.

 She further called on all education stakeholders to help in creating awareness on indigenous people and to be part of the system that correct these learning materials not by bashing or ignoring it but by calling the attention of the basic education department through its proper channels like the DepEd Error Watch, the official Facebook Pages of DepEd, and even her Office directly.

“Not all can be seen or monitored by the Learning Resource personnel or the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) especially for self-learning modules developed locally in other places,” said the Director.

Anyone can send errors on modules to DepEd through bit.ly/DepEdErrorWatch or by email through errorwatch@deped.gov.ph, text and messaging through Viber at 0961-6805334; Facebook messaging through DepEd Error Watch account and the DepEd Tayo Cordillera page.

Netizens are also encouraged to use hashtag #depederrorwatch when posting complaints on social media sites. The hashtag will help monitor the complaints.

“We are disheartened that these errors circulate nationwide but we hope our collective efforts will change wrong concepts of indigenous people like us especially in areas that Igorots are not the majority,” she added.

As of press time, through the swift action of DepEd CAR officials, the regions and school division offices that have wrong and bias depictions of Igorots are complying with the urgent requests to rectify their modules.

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