By: Emmanuel D. Taghoy
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The third leg of the two-day Journalistic Writing Workshop for the Indigenous People (IP) of Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) region was conducted here on July 17-18 at Casa Mea Hotel.
More than 30 IP students, who are grantees of the National Commission on Indigenous People’s (NCIP) Educational Assistance Program (EAP), and out-school-youths coming from the different municipalities of Sibugay province, attended the writing workshop.
According to Assistant Regional Director Franklin P. Gumapon of Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9, the activity aimed to enhance the writing skills of the participants and empower them as “the most marginalized sector in the region.”
“It is our hope their talents in writing will be improved so that they can compete with other students.
This training also complements their formal training in school to make them skilled once they graduate,” said Gumapon.
Moreover, he explained that as one of the thrusts of the government to promote climate change adaptation, the youth can be good advocates with their active participation in social media sites.
“We cannot deny that climate change is really happening, therefore we need the participation and cooperation of the youth.”
Regional Director Timuey Woy Lim P. Wong of NCIP-9 also said the two-day activity may not be enough for the participants to acquire the ability to become excellent writers, but it is a good start to develop their talents
He also furthered that IPs should not feel ashamed of their English. He said it is normal to commit mistakes. Instead, they should strive hard to develop themselves
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The indigenous communities in Zamboanga Sibugay are Subanen, Kalibugan, Samal and Yakan.
The activity was spearheaded by PIA-9 in collaboration with NCIP-9 with the support of the US Embassy.