CORDILLERA lawmakers filed on Monday, February 8, a resolution condemning the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in the different learning materials of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Kalinga Representative Allen Jesse Mangaoang, chairman of the Committee on Indigenous Cultural Communities and Indigenous Peoples, together with Mountain Province Representative Maximo Dalog Jr., Benguet Caretaker Representative Eric Go Yap, Ifugao Representative Solomon Chungalao and Apayao Representative Elias Bulut Jr., authored House Bill 1552, “A resolution condemning the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials, and directing the Department of Education to make a thorough review of all textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials and correct any text which depict in a discriminatory way Igorots and indigenous peoples and to instruct the authors and publishers of these materials to withdraw them from circulation to stop the perpetration of this misleading notion and to prevent further discrimination.”

The lawmakers noted some learning modules and instructional materials containing erroneous information and portrayals of Igorots have circulated online and became viral, drawing flak from the Indigenous Peoples throughout the Cordillera Region.

“Such portrayals and descriptions of the Igorots have immeasurably alarmed, offended and annoyed the people in the Cordillera,” they said in the resolution.

The lawmakers added it should be the policy of the DepEd to help in creating awareness of the indigenous peoples’ identity and culture and be part of the system that correct the misleading notions on IPs rather than perpetuating and ignoring them.

They also called on the authors and publishers of these materials to withdraw them from circulation, make the necessary corrections and consult with the appropriate agencies and indigenous cultural communities to stop the perpetuation of this misleading notion and t prevent further discrimination.

Last week, Yap and Dalog issued a statement condemning the photos of learning materials circulating online promoting discrimination against Igorots and other Indigenous Peoples on the basis of their physical characteristics.

Yap also filed House Resolution 1553 on Monday, directing the appropriate House Committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the proliferation of inappropriate, erroneous, and discriminatory learning materials from the Department of Education.

“Congress must look into the proliferation of these inappropriate and insensitive learning materials from the DepEd. We will summon the agency officials to shed light on this matter as it is an obvious form of

mockery of the rich culture in the Cordillera. This is not the first time that it has happened. Aside from technical errors, there were also previous reports on these materials containing cultural- and gender-insensitive stories, statements, and exercises,” Yap said.

Yap added these erroneous learning modules should be addressed immediately, especially with the distance learning.

He added that DepEd and other educational institutions should always observe sensitivity in every lesson or exercise they put in their learning materials.

“This is a serious matter as these materials shape the minds and influence the behavior of our children, either directly or indirectly,” Yap added.

“We will not tolerate this kind of negligence. We call for a massive review and evaluation of these learning materials to ensure that quality education is not undermined and that no discrimination will ever be implied again,” he said. (SunStar Baguio)