BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (August 18)—To serve the needs of university students from Indigenous Peoples communities in the province, the National Housing Authority (NHA) turned over a P17.3 million worth of dormitory for a state university in this province.
Gov. Carlos Padilla said the IP Student Dormitory at the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) is expected to give shelter to enrolled students from around 18 IP groups that have made the province their home for centuries.
He cited the tribes of the Ifugaos in the towns of Quezon, Bagabag and Kasibu; the Gaddangs in Solano and Bayombong; the Isinais in Dupax del Sur, Bambang and Aritao; the Kalanguyas in Santa Fe; and the Bugkalots in Alfonso Castañeda and Dupax del Norte.
Because of this, Padilla said the province which is located within the majestic mountain ranges of the Cordillera, Caraballo and the Sierra Madre is one of the most colorful and culturally diverse provinces in the country.
Speaking during the ceremonial turnover of the facility to NVSU on August 8, Padilla noted that the IP students’ dormitory would be able to address the needs of the tribal students of the university.
He also expressed thanks to the NHA for realizing the needs of the IP communities in the province.
University officials said many of the IP students enrolled at the NVSU come from far-flung upland areas in the province, thus the need for a dormitory for a better study environment, especially now that the school year will have in-person classes.
The dormitory is a two-story building with 12 rooms on the NVSU’s main campus in this town with a Deed of Transfer and Acceptance (DTA) signed on behalf of the university by Officer-In-Charge President Dr. Ruth Raña Padilla. On behalf of the NHA, the DTA was also signed by NHA Acting Region 2 manager Engr. Ferdinand Sales.
NVSU said the signing was witnessed by Bayombong town mayor Antonio Sergio Bagasao, Provincial Officer lawyer Roderick Iquin of the National Commission on Indigenous People, IP Representative Regent Evelyn Taban and Vice President for Planning, Development and Information System Prof. Elmer Castañeto.
Dr. Padilla said the NHA’s aspirations of providing a dormitory for the IP students of the university will not be wasted.
“On behalf of the NVSU family, I wholeheartedly, proudly and gratefully accept this IP dormitory for Bayombong Campus and accept the responsibilities attached to it,” she said.