BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
KASIBU, Nueva Vizcaya (December 2)—To pass on the Ifugao culture to the next generation of Indigenous Peoples (IPs), the Didipio Mine started a Culture Revitalization project to promote the culture of Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups in its host and neighboring communities within the mine’s areas of operation.
This Didipio Mine project is in collaboration with the Didipio Barangay Council and the Ifugao Intangible Heritage and Performing Arts Society (IIHPAS), according to the Didipio Mine external affairs and communications department.
Lawyer Joan Adaci-Cattiling, Didipio Mine president and general manager, said the project’s goal is to provide opportunities to the local indigenous children, youth and residents of different ages to learn more about the Ifugao culture and hone traditional skills.
“These skills include the beating of gongs and other instruments, ethnic dances, and songs. This initiative of the company in partnership with Dididpio Barangay Council also offers young people a chance to reestablish relationships with their local elders who have a mine of ethnic knowledge,” Adaci-Cattiling said.
According to the Didipio Mine external affairs department, the project which was launched on October 8, 2022 was held during Saturdays and Sundays.
It said the first batch of youth volunteers have completed their eight days of intensive training with a culminating activity showcasing what they have learned throughout their course on November 13, 2022, at Didipio Elementary School.
The event was attended by Barangay Local Government officials of Didipio and the families of the students.
The 𝘿𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙥𝙞𝙤 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙚 is operated by 𝙊𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙂𝙤𝙡𝙙 (𝙋𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨), 𝙄𝙣𝙘. as the government’s mining contractor under the Financial or Technical Assistance Agreement No. 001 and Addendum and Renewal Agreement with areas in the Provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.
It is a subsidiary of OceanaGold Corporation, a multinational gold producer headquartered in Brisbane and Melbourne, with operations based in New Zealand, the Philippines, and the United States.