© Republic of the Philippines Department of Education -REGION X= NORTHERN MINDANAO Office of the Regional Director July 28, 2021 REGIONAL MEMORANDUM No, 96's, 2021 OBSERVANCES OF NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MONTH AND IP DAY To: Schools Division Superintendents All Others Concerned 1, _ This refers to Presidential Proclamation No. 1906, s. 2009 titled Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as National Indigenous Peoples Month and RA No. 10689 declaring August 9 as National Indigenous Peoples Day. 2. For this year’s observances, DepEd shall be guided by the theme “Karunungan ng mga Katutubong Pamayanan: Limang Daang Taon ng Pagtatanggol at Pagpapayabong, Ipagpatuloy sa Pangalawang Dekada ng Katutubong Edukasyon.” 3. _ This year’s observances celebrate the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines, highlighting the courage towards self-determination, humanity, and ingenuity of the nation’s ancestors. The contribution of the ancestors to the journey toward national and global development is further emphasized during Quincentennial through Proclamation No. 1128, s. 2021 declaring 2021 as the “Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors.” 4. For the Department, the Indigenous Education Program 2021 is also a milestone year as it commemorates 10 years of the Department Order No. 62, s. 2011 titled Adopting the Indigenous Peoples Education Policy Framework, which lays down the policy convictions and commitments of the Department that guide the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education Program. The 10-year journey concretizes DepEd’s mission to quality, equitable, culture-based, and inclusive education. 5. __ In the international arena, this year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples has its theme “Leaving No One Behind: Indigenous Peoples and the Call for the New Social Contact.” It recognizes the inequities that challenge IP communities from exercising their right to self- determination and reiterates the call to all nations to respect the rights, dignity, and freedom of the Indigenous Cultural Communities Worldwide. Governments are also enjoined to ensure meaningful participation in decision-making of ICCs for development especially during this pandemic. ® DepEd Regional Office X, Zone 1, Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City ‘@ (088) 856-3932 | (088) 881-3137 | (088) 881-3031 G1 Department of Education Region 10 © region10@deped.gov.ph6. __ This dovetail of celebrations in the midst of the pandemic is an auspicious moment to recognize and commemorate the inter-generational and steadfast conviction of Indigenous Communities (ICCs) to protect and nurture their respective community’s Indigenous Knowledge System and Practices (KSPs}their collective karunungan—over the past 500 years, making it Possible for IKSPs to be one of the nation’s foundations for a collective sense of identity, tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and sustainable development into the future. The country’s ICCs are continuing embodiment of the collective sense of commitment on self-determination and courage of Lapu-lapu and his community, expressed in the advocacy for IP rights, Sustainable development, and social justice, including IP education, in the contemporary times. 7. _ Based on the results of the consultation with the IP elders of the nine ICs, Region X’s 10" year commemoration of DO 62 and program assessment during IP Day on August 9 and IP Month on October 1-31 will highlight major activities and milestones, “Remembering the Journey of IPEd” over the past years of the 14 divisions with the 9 ICs through the following: a. Synchronized Ritual (panaghiusang ritual o pag-ampo) for thanksgiving, protection, and healing; b, Scaled Partnership and Engagement through Grand Ritual of DepEd and the nine ICCs; c. Institutionalization of the utilization of IPEd Framework and Cultural Standards in program implementation; d. Hanging of streamers/banners in strategic places in the vicinity of DepEd Offices and schools (templated tarpaulin); e. Continuous dialogue and partnership with the organized Regional IPEd Council of Elders and Divisional/School Consultative Advisory Bodies (CABs) for curriculum contextualization and IPEd program implementation; {, Wearing of appropriate IP attire during the IP day and IP month celebrations is encouraged for both teaching and nonteaching personnel; g. Sharing of implementation challenges, insights/ feedback, experiences/ of teachers, school heads, IP elders, learners, partners, and stakeholders over the past years and h. Conduct of advocacy activities for teaching, nonteaching personnel, and stakeholders through media platforms or programs of the ROs, SDOs, and schools; 8. _Allactivities and initiatives related to the National IP Day and IP Month celebration shall adhere to both IP community and national protocols for well- being and safety. The planning and conduct of activities shall be guided by the Department's Guidelines on the Conduct of Activities and Use of Materials Involving Aspects of Indigenous Peoples Culture (DO 51, s. 2014), which are meant to provide guidance on the ethical assessment of the conduct of learning activities and related engagements of schools, DepEd offices, and other education initiatives, which involve various aspects of indigenous peoples culture. Likewise, field offices and schools are enjoined to consult andcollaborate with the indigenous community elders and other culture bearers as appropriate in the conduct of activities, 9. On the challenges of the times, this year’s theme shall guide other initiatives that may commence during the National IP Day, but shall continue into the coming months of the School Year. 10. Immediate and wide dissemination of this Mem prandum is desired. oe \TUR@ B. BAYOCOT, CESO III ‘egional Director DR. ATCH: As stated ‘To be indicated in the Perpetual index under the following subject: INDIGENOU: :OPLES EDUCATION (IPE) cLMD/io