Manide tribe in Camarines Norte gets gov’t services during IP Week
By Rosalita Manlangit
DAET, Camarines Norte --- A total of 78 families of the Manide Indigenous Peoples (IPs) received various government services during the Indigenous Peoples Week celebration in Barangay Osmeña, Jose Panganiban, last October 21.
The services provided included free medical services and medicine, free haircuts, national ID and PhilHealth registrations, and information on government programs.
Information and education campaigns on livelihoods, employment, assistance to individuals in crises, and anti-drug and anti-insurgency efforts were explained to the IPs during the caravan.
NCIP Regional Director Roland Calde, in his message read by his representative, said, “Ipinagdiriwang natin ang inyong kultura, tradisyon at boses bilang isang buhay na kayamanan na nagpapayaman sa buong lalawigan at ang pagiging kabilang sa marginalized sector ay hindi kailanman [nangangahulugan] na kayo ay malilimutan.”
(We celebrate your culture, tradition, and voice as a living treasure that enriches the entire province, and being part of a marginalized sector never means that you will be forgotten.)
“In a society with justice and equality, true progress means stepping forward together, ensuring that every Manide has access to education, every family has adequate healthcare and livelihood services, and everyone’s right to their ancestral land is protected,” he continued.
“I am grateful to the agencies that provided services to the Manide on the first day of the celebration here in your barangay,” said Agnes Salvino, provincial head of the NCIP Camarines Norte.
Salvino said the activities on the first day featured government services sponsored by the local government unit of Jose Panganiban, while those on the second day of the event on Oct. 22 consisted of parlor games sponsored by the NCIP.
“We encourage you to let us know if anyone brings illegal drugs to you so that we can protect you, because we heard that someone reported a complaint in the barangay,” said Kim Non, secretary to the mayor.
Non said that it is also necessary to report any recruitment from outsiders so that the IPs can be protected from being influenced, noting that all the hard work done for the tribes could otherwise be lost.
n 2023, the Manide tribe was awarded 58 housing units in their ancestral domain through the National Housing Authority; it was implemented by the LGU-Jose Panganiban.
“Bilang kinatawan, natutuwa po kami sa IP Week celebration, lalo na sa NCIP na patuloy na nakaagapay sa amin para kami ay mapatatag; nandiyan kayo na handang magpalakas sa amin,” said Laila Viana, Indigenous Peoples mandatory representative of Jose Panganiban.
(As a representative, we are happy about the IP Week celebration, especially with the NCIP continuously supporting us so we can be resilient. You are always there, ready to empower us.)
She encouraged the students to remain dedicated and persevere in their studies, reminding them that no matter what they achieve in life, they should never forget their culture and tradition.
The service caravan also partnered with the Camarines Norte Communicators Network (CamNorteComNet).
CamNorteComNet president and Vinzons election officer Rommel Pajarin, alongside PIA convenor Rosalita Manlangit and representatives from participating member agencies, discussed the programs that would benefit the Manide IPs.
The Indigenous Peoples Week celebration marked the 2026 IP Month and the 29th IPRA Month commemoration. (PIA Bicol/Camarines Norte)
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