Kapangan hosts 1st IP games in Benguet

MINING activities lead to the generation of large quantities of heavy metal laden wastes released in an uncontrolled manner, causing widespread contamination of the ecosystem.

Established in 1903, Benguet is the oldest mining company in the Philippines. Among the recent areas taken advantage of for its mineral deposits is in Poblacion, Kabayan, Benguet. A mountainous, hilly, plain located 16° 38' 30’’ N latitude and THE first Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) Games in Benguet sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission kicked off at the Governor Bado Dangwa Agro-Industrial School- Main and Balakbak Elementary School grounds, Balakbak, Kapangan, Benguet on Oct. 27.

“The IP games is part of the mandate of the president to make sports accessible to every Filipino,” said Charles Raymond A. Maxey, PSC Commissioner, in his message during the opening ceremony.

The commissioner stressed that he is happy to see children smiling and having fun, thus, he expects thee 120° 49' 49'' longitude.

The study aims to look into the possibility of using Thysanolaena maxima to uptake heavy metals in mine tailings. The plant were collected and replanted to mine tailings. Mine tailings sample before and after the experiment were brought to the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory for analysis. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry activity to be a momentous occasion for the players and spectators for the succeeding three days.

The three- day activity is in consonance to Sec. 29 Republic Act Peoples (RA) 8371 known as the Indigenous Peoples Right Act of 1997, which states that the state shall respect, recognize, and protect the right of the indigenous Peoples to preserve and protect their culture, traditions, and institutions.

According to commissioner Maxey, the first IP games in the country was launched at Davao del Norte, followed by South Cotabato, while Ifugao is the first province in the method was used to analyze the Lead and Mercury concentration in the sample.Lead level is 908 mg/Kg, greater than the natural content generally 1540 mg/Kg and higher than 400mg/Kg standard level in soil for agricultural use.

Mercury ranges from 0.02 to 0.06 mg/ Kg higher than 0.000018 mg/Kg. Lead recorded a decrease of 907.9988 mg/kg while mercury has a decrease of 0.0000094 mg/kg.

Based from the findings Cordillera to embark the IP games, Benguet being the second in the region.

The sports activity is in coordination of Hon. Manny E. Fermin, the Municipal Mayor of Kapangan, and the office of the PSC, with the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) that appeals for the preservation of cultural heritage of the world where many traditional sports and games have disappeared or under threat, and in order to assure cultural diversity and peace. The municipality resolve to promote the balance of the existing diversity of the of the study;Thysanolaena maxima has the ability to uptake heavy metals from mine tailings; Thysanolaena maxima accumulated varying amount of heavy metals 99 % lead and 47 % mercury; and Thysanolaena maxima can tolerate the presence of heavy metals in mine tailings.

Thysanolaena maxima (tiger grass) must be given appropriate attention so that its economic and ecological significance will be optimized. elite sport, and sport for all physical activity with traditional sports and games.

“This is a humble beginning to all of us,” said Hon. Board Member Robert M. Namoro. “We will support any endeavor that will enrich our culture,” he added. About 15 barangays in the municipality participated in the different games such as Sidking Aparador and Bado; Tiklaw, KadangKadang, Sungka, Dama, Patintero , Prisoner’s Base, Pangke, Da-an di Pato, Pakwel, Palsi-it, Pallot, Ginuyodan, Sanggol, Kayabang/ Lagba-Solsol and Tig-ap- Sogi relay.