By Emmanuel D. Taghoy
ZAMBOANGA
CITY – Some 30 college students here who are scholars under the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples’ (NCIP) Education Assistance Program (EAP) for
Indigenous Peoples (IPs) attended the second leg of journalistic writing workshop
spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9 in partnership with
the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and US Embassy in Manila.
“We
help the IP youth develop their knowledge and skills in writing so that they
may be able to effectively write their tribes’ stories and expressed ideas in
their own point of view,” Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga of PIA-9 said.
In
support of Director Edaga’s statement, Information Center Manager Felipo David
G. Malcampo of PIA-Zamboanga City also told the participants who belong to
Subanon, Yakan, Kolibugan, Sama-Bangingi and Bajau tribes, that “new minds will
have to replace the old generation soon and this is the reason your writing
skills are being honed.”
The IP
journalistic writing workshop, which is on its second year of implementation,
hopes to enhance the journalistic talents of IP college students particularly
in writing news stories and editorial. Topics on climate change as well as the
government’s efforts to attain lasting peace in Mindanao have also been
integrated in the lectures.
Mr. Abdurasid
Buddick, NCIP-9 regional EAP focal person reminded the participants that as
NCIP scholars, they must maintain a weighted average not lower than 80% to keep
their scholarship and to graduate from their chosen courses.
“You
are very lucky to have availed of this program. Do not give us a reason to
remove your name out from the master list,” said Buddick.
