THE list of groups calling out the Department of Education (DepEd) for allowing erroneous and discriminatory modules is getting longer.

Representative Maximo Dalog Jr. of Mountain Province wrote to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones on Thursday, February 4, to bring to her attention the collective clamor and sentiments of his constituents and fellow Cordillerans concerning some books and learning modules apparently designed and published to malign and discriminate Igorots.

Dalog, in his letter, cited one learning module authored by Dr. Felicidad Remo and Avelina Espelita and published by St. Mathew’s Publishing Corporation, portraying the Igorot as having curly hair with this quote: “Ako ay si Digo. Isa akong Igorot. Kulot na kulot ang itim kong buhok.”

“We disagree on such account because in reality, a person with curly hair does not truly represent the actual appearance of an Igorot. We wish to inform the aforementioned authors that physically, we Igorots are generally similar with the Filipino majority like that of Dr. Remo and (Ms.) Espelita,” Dalog said.

In another module being circulated on Facebook, Igorots continue to be discriminated and maligned very incorrectly because of their looks, fashion, attire and capacity to finish a sound education.

“We are immeasurably alarmed, offended and annoyed by such portrayal and description of us, because we are Igorots,” added Dalog.

Dalog urged DepEd to look into the matter, investigate and reprimand those responsible and correct errors stated in the books and modules.

“Igorots had long been discriminated because of erroneous information about our person, identity, and culture. We want to put an end to this. We wish you could help us,” Dalog said. (SunStar Baguio)