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POC: Protect cultural minorities

MABALACAT — The Philippine Olympics Committee (POC) has stressed the need to protect cultural minorities, particularly the Dumagats, Aetas, and the Mangyans.

“We should enrich our rich cultural heritage and the POC is finding ways to protect the indigenous people through the conduct of sports activities like archery and blow gun or pipe and cultural presentation of different tribes,” POC director Jeff Tamayo said.

Tamayo joined the simultaneous celebration of the Pampanga Aeta Day and the 13th anniversary of Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous People’s Rights Act (Ipra) in Clark Freeport on Saturday.

“This is their way of life. We should learn from them that life is so simple,” he added.

According to him, indigenous peoples should be emulated and go back to the basics to protect the environment.

During Saturday’s affair, the POC has organized tribal games for Aetas in Pampanga. Representatives from the towns of Floridablanca, Mabalacat, and Porac and Angeles City participated in the sports events like archery and blow gun, and cultural presentations.

The winners in different categories in the archery and blow gun will compete in the 2nd International Tribal Games, which will be held in Clark next year.

Mabalacat Tourism officer Guy Hilbero said the sports events and cultural shows are aimed at bringing back the dignity and self-respect of indigenous people all over the country.

According to Hilbero, the Municipal Government here headed by Mayor Marino Morales has been supporting the National Commission for Indigenous People (NCIP) in Central Luzon headed by lawyer Salon Sunggod.

Hilbero thanked the Clark Development Corporation, Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan, local governments of Floridablanca, Porac and Mabalacat, the NCIP, POC, and other entities for supporting the Aeta day. (Reynaldo G. Navales)

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