LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III has proposed the establishment of cooperatives for the indigenous people of Pangasinan.
This was bared by Enrique delos Santos Jr., National Commission for the Indigenous Peoples-Pangasinan chief, in an interview immediately after a courtesy call on the provincial chief executive last Jan. 26 at the Urduja Building, Capitol Compound here.
“The governor was very accommodating the IPs’ concerns. He was the one who suggested that a cooperative be organized for them,” Delos Santos said.
He added that Gov. Espino wanted a cooperative so that “IPs could have programmatic, sustainable livelihood on farming, which would train them to have a hand in management.”
The NCIP-Pangasinan chief said that he and his staff sought an audience with the governor to express gratitude for his valuable contributions to the improvement of IPs’ welfare in the province.
Delos Santos was equally glad that Gov. Espino has allotted around 60 slots of college scholarships for the IP youths, a tradition he continues from his predecessor now Fifth District Congressman Amado T. Espino Jr.
“This is important as education is what they really need to be freed from the grip of poverty,” he said.
He said that the provincial government has even lowered the maintaining average for the IP scholars to 81 percent, 4 points lower than the required 85 percent, as a consideration for them.
On Feb. 2, a training on mushroom production will be facilitated by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist under the direction of the governor for the IPs as a way of equipping them with skills to make a living.
A key milestone in propagating appreciation for the IPs in the province was seen last Oct. 26 with the staging of the very first “Gimong” Pangasinan IP Forum.
Delos Santos said that this event showcased to the world the relevance of IP groups in the modern world province and were privileged to perform vibrant ethnic dance at the Provincial Capitol Building.
Asked on the current status of the IPs in Pangasinan, he said, “They are now more organized and aware of their rights. It is because they are being empowered gradually through involvement in government programs. We are fully supported by the provincial government,” he said.