Avong Park gets 3M

CONGRESSMAN Mark Go during his speech at Ibaloi Heritage Park (Avong Park) last October 8, 2017 during the Indigenous Peoples Celebration, announced that he will allocate 3 million from his Congressional Fund for the improvement and maintenance of the Avong Park at Burnham Park.

The Ibaloi Heritage Park (Avong Park) was reserved by the City Council for the Ibaloi people of Baguio City and else- where in recognition of the fact that they were the original in habitants of the City and elsewhere in recognition of the fact that they were the original in habitants of the city. It will be recalled that survey of the area was conducted to delineate the area which formed Baguio City in 9122 which came from portions of Tuba, Sablan, La Trinidad and Itogon municipalities. There were only 48 original claimaints of Ibaoi families then who lived in the City of Baguio, and about 200 more Ibaloi families then who lived in the City of Baguio, and about 200 more Ibaloi families were added to this group. Ninety five percent (95%) of these families belong to the Ibaloi tribe.

Likewise, this is also in recognition of the efforts of Mateo Carino, an Ibaloi leader in the city and Benguet who pioneered in the recognition of the Indigenous Peoples rights not only in Baguio and Benguet but throughout the Philippines to own their homes and lands. Mateo Carino and his family, together with the families of Camdas, Pucay, Molintas, Fianza, Suello, Kidit Carantes, Canuto, Zarate, Gumangan, Locloc, Binay-an and others, are acknowledge as the original residents of Baguio City.

Efforts are now being made by the Ibaloi leadership of the city and province, to get permits to develop the parks not only from the city but also from the National Govern-

ment, which owns Burnham Park through the Department of Tourism. The city is only allowed to manage the same. They are now asking all Ibalois to help not only those living in the city but also in Benguet Province and other places to develop the Avong Park which is the only remaining reminder of the original settlers of Baguio City.

The Avong Park when it will become functional will not only be used by the Ibaloi tribe but also by the other indigenous group in the city like the Bontocs, Ifugaos, Kalingas, and Apayaos, kankanaeys, Ilongots. Press release from the office of Atty Moises Cating.