A college for IPs

FORTY lumad scholars are now officially enrolled at the Datu Jose Libayao Davao del Norte State College Extension Campus, which formally opened just last Monday, October 3, 2016 in the Tribal Municipality of Talaingod, Davao del Norte.

This has long been a dream of the Ata Manobo communities in Talaingod as access to tertiary education for the poor farmbased indigenous peoples is made more difficult by the need to include the high cost of transportation to and from school.

“With the extension campus we are hoping to fill that particular gap in Talaingod,” Governor Anthony G. del Rosario said.

The local government unit and the school board assured that the culture of Ata-Manobo will be inculcated even as the school seeks to introduce new technologies and knowledge to the tribe.

“That is why in the curriculum, we are making sure that programs are in line with the cultural practices of the tribal people,” del Rosario said.

He added that it is important to preserve the culture and traditions of the tribe.

Out of the 40 scholars composing the first batch of students, 30 are 4Ps beneficiaries. The Provincial Government and the Municipality of Talaingod will sponsor scholarship of the remaining 10 students.

“Maswerte mo… kamo gyud ang first batch sa mga estudyante sa atong bagong skwelahan diri sa Talaingod (You are lucky… because you are the first batch of students in this new school in Talaingod),” he stated.

Aside from free education, the scholars will also receive allowances.

The government earmarked P30,000 for the tuition, allowances and board and lodging of each scholar.

With this, he asked the students not to marry early and pursue their respective careers after graduation.

“Ang abiso nako sa inyoha pwede man magminyo pero unahon ninyo muna inyong career, importante gyod na (My advice to you is that you can marry but I hope that you put your career first, that is important),” the governor said.

Teenage marriages among the tribal folks are still common as this is the norm.

To formally open the school, del Rosario led the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), together with the representatives of Davao del Norte State College (DNSC), Southern Philippines AgriBusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the Municipality of Talaingod. pioDavNor

ALL TOGETHER. Officials, students, and tribal leaders raise their right index finger as a testament to their One Vision, One Talaingod slogan.

FORMAL OPENING. Dr. Jonathan A. Bayogan, Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario, Talaingod Mayor Basilio Libayao with the students of Datu Jose Libayao Davao del Norte State College Extension Campus officially opens the school.