THE City College of Cagayan de Oro (CCCDO) signed an agreement for a documentation and cultural preservation initiative on behalf of the Higaonon Tribe in Cagayan de Oro on Tuesday, Feb. 24.

 

The signing between the school headed by its president Dr. Jestoni Babia and representatives of the Higaonon Tribal Council of Cagayan de Oro was held at the Gloryville Farm in Barangay Lumbia.

 

CCCDO is a local higher education institution established under the authority of Cagayan de Oro City Hall led by Mayor Rolando 'Klarex' Uy. The Higaonon Tribal Council is headed by Roger Edgardo Butlig, also known as Datu Magagaw.

 

The initiative stemmed from growing concerns by the elders of the Higaonon community over the gradual loss of traditional practices, ancestral knowledge, and cultural identity particularly among the younger generation.

 

From a growing concern, they requested for the CCCDO for an assistance in documenting the history of their tribe.

 

In response, the college, through its Center for Language, Literature, and Indigenous Studies (CLLIS), will lead a documentation and cultural preservation initiative on behalf of the tribe.

 

Dr. Babia affirmed the institution’s commitment to serving the local indigenous community by providing academic expertise, institutional support, and technical assistance to ensure the success of the initiative.

 

Through the City College of Cagayan de Oro, City Hall is committed to promote the continuity, revitalization, and transmission of Higaonon identity and heritage across generations through accessible and community-owned knowledge products. (MDS/CIO/Photos by: Iren Fuentes/CIO)