Igorot Global Org. forge dev’t in Cordillera communities

By Carlito C. Dar

Sunday 4th of March 2012

BAGUIO CITY, Mar. 4 (PIA) -- The ninth Igorot International Consultation (IIC) is set to be held at the Baguio Country Club here on April 11 to 14, 2012 with the theme, ‘Igorots in Partnership for Development.’

The IIC, being held every two years in different venues worldwide, is spearheaded by the Igorot Global Organization (IGO), a United States-based non-sectarian, non-partisan and non-profit organization. Formally organized in 2000, it is dedicated to the preservation of the culture and existence of an indigenous Filipino group called Igorots, in the upliftment and advancement of the Igorots to be more productive members of the society and in promoting and sharing with the world the rich heritage and history of the Igorots.

IGO-Philippines Vice President Ursula Daoey, who also chairs the IIC cultural committee, in an interview, explained that the IIC, is a periodic gathering of Igorots from different parts of the world to consult on issues, interests and concerns that are generally common to all participants.

The ICC for this year will focus on the development of Igorot communities in Cordillera.

According to Daoey, they will be looking in whatever aspect or field of development that would come out from the consultation and that they will be forging unity and partnerships in looking for ways to help in such concern.

Daoey also disclosed that the invited keynote speaker for the IIC is Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo as they would want to bring in the partnership down to the local communities. Other IGO members from around the world will also speak in the IIC plenary sessions.

Meanwhile, IGO-Philippines conducted a fund-raising raffle activity at the Malcolm Square here last Saturday. According to Daoey, proceeds of the activity will go to the Igorot Scholarship Program (ISP) which provides educational grant to financially-challenged but deserving Igorot youth in the Cordillera.

“Through our ISP, annually we hope to provide financial education assistance to poor but deserving students in each of the provinces of Cordillera. Under the program, we already helped six scholars graduate from college and at the moment we are maintaining 28 other scholars. We are now trying to generate more funds so that we can support more,” Daoey said.

For more information, interested participants can send an e-mail to igorot-igo@yahoogroups.com, visit their webiste http://Igorot.org/cms or look for their Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Igorot-Global-Organization. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)