The Department of Education–Cordillera office (DepED-CAR) will continue to correct whatever false perceptions being perpetrated against indigenous peoples (IPs) like the Igorots.

In recent days, some DepEd  learning materials having discriminatory descriptions and depictions of Igorots have been posted on social media. Because of that, DepEd-CAR Regional Director Estela Cariño called on more involvement from the public to correct wrong depiction of Igorots.

“We are disheartened that these errors circulate nationwide but we hope our collective efforts will change wrong concepts of indigenous peoples like us especially in areas that Igorots are not the majority,” Carino said.

The DepEd is encouraging the public to report any  incorrect or wrong perception about the Igorots on  learning  modules  through bit.ly/DepEdErrorWatch or by email through errorwatch@deped.gov.ph, text and messaging through Viber at 0961-6805334; Facebook messaging through DepEd Error Watch account and the DepEd Tayo Cordillera page.

Carino also urged Cordillerans  not to stay quiet,  but report and possibly provide corrections with regards to  some learning modules or materials that are  maligning, discriminating, and wrongly depicting Igorots.

“When a wrong concept keeps repeated, this might be accepted as the truth that is why we need to respond to it right away and for those responsible to correct it immediately,” she said.

“I am an Igorot and proud of it and we need to respond to such issues and not keep mum about it,” Cariňo added.

She also called on all education stakeholders to help in creating awareness on indigenous peoples and to be part of the system that correct the erroneous learning materials, not by bashing or ignoring it, but by calling the attention of the basic education department through its proper channels like the DepEd Error Watch, the official Facebook Pages of DepEd, and even her Office directly.

Netizens are also encouraged to use hashtag #depederrorwatch when posting complaints on social media sites. The hashtag will help monitor the complaints.

Meanwhile, Congressmen Jesse  Allen Mangaoang of Kalinga, Maximo Dalog Jr. of Mountain Province, Eric Yap of Benguet, Solomon Chungalo of Ifugao and Elias Bulut Jr. of Apayao have filed House Resolution No. 1552  condemning the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials, and directing Deped to make through review of learning modules and materials  which depict discrimination against Igorots and other IPs.