By Claro A. Lanipa
DIPOLOG CITY – The Philippine
Information Agency(PIA)-IX in partnership with the National Commission on
Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-IX and the US Embassy in Manila has conducted starting
today (June 24) a two-day journalistic writing workshop for Indigenous Peoples
(IP) college students at Mibang Hotel here.
A total of 27 IP grantees under the Educational
Assistance Program (EAP) of the NCIP from the three congressional districts of
Zamboanga del Norte were invited to attend the said workshop.
In his welcome remarks during the opening program, Atty.
Eulogio Lagudas Jr., legal officer, NCIP-Zamboanga del Norte told the
participants that all writings must be based on a legal foundation in order to
evade civil or criminal liabilities.
The lawyer was also elated to see Ms. Yoly De Guzman,
public affairs officer, US Embassy in Manila for gracing the occasion, saying “this
is the first time that a representative from the embassy set foot in Dipolog
City.”
Meanwhile, Yoly De Guzman said “I am so impressed with
your NCIP coordinators. They were able to gather all of you here, and, at least
for the two days, you will be able to learn something out of this activity.
She also commended PIA-IX that among the 17 regions in the country,”
it’s only region 9 that is implementing this project (for the second year) and
we are happy to support this initiative for the IPs.”
“This is very unique, because the participants are
really IPs representing the different tribes in the province,” De Guzman said.
NCIP-IX EAP Focal Person Abdurasid Buddick also told
the grantees “you are the luckiest among your peers because you are chosen to
be here.”
“This is once in a lifetime opportunity, grab it,”
Buddick encouraged the scholars.
He also urged the grantees to study hard to avoid getting failing grades in order to maintain their scholarships.