On October 30, 2024, SPAMAST President Dr. Lynette A. Bontia visited the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) office in Davao Occidental, where she met with Provincial Director Atty. Leonor Oralde. The visit aimed to seek NCIP’s guidance on SPAMAST’s initiatives to promote and preserve Indigenous culture in Davao Occidental. Central to these initiatives are the proposed adoption of Indigenous Peoples (IP) terminology in naming campus buildings and establishing an IP Cultural Center at SPAMAST.
In addition, the NCIP presented SPAMAST with a coffee table book collection—three substantial volumes that document the rich cultural heritage and history of the various Indigenous tribes across the Davao Region. These books serve as valuable resources, providing in-depth knowledge about the traditions, practices, and backgrounds of the region’s Indigenous communities. This gesture strengthens SPAMAST’s commitment to deepening cultural understanding and fostering respect for the unique heritage of these tribes.
This collaboration underscores SPAMAST’s commitment to fostering cultural awareness and respect for the traditions and heritage of Indigenous communities in the region.
