Educational and Awareness
Programs
Educational initiatives have been
Hannah instrumental in promoting Itneg culture.
For instance, the Department of Foreign
Affairs conducted heritage talks focusing
on Itneg textiles, designs, and their
Food cultural significance. Heritage talks and
school programs promote Itneg textiles
Traditional Itneg cuisine is closely tied to
and traditions.
their agricultural practices, featuring
staples like rice and corn. their diet
reflects the produce cultivated through
their farming methods.
Livelihood Cultural Exhibitions and Bazaars
Primarily, they engage in agriculture, These events provide platforms for local
practicing both wet and dry cultivation. entrepreneurs to promote and sell
In the lowlands, they employ wet rice cultural items, thereby supporting the
farming, constructing dams and ditches local economy and increasing public
to irrigate terraced fields, while in the exposure to Itneg cultural artifacts
highlands, they focus on dry cultivation (Department of Foreign Affairs, 2023).
of crops like sweet potatoes and yams.
Beyond agriculture, the Itneg are skilled Language Preservation
artisans, renowned for their weaving,
basketry, and pottery. Programs encourage the use of the
Itneg language in schools and daily life.
Fishing in the Abra River and its Such programs aim to maintain linguistic
tributaries supplements their diet and heritage and ensure that traditional
income, utilizing methods such as knowledge is passed down through
bamboo traps and communal fishing generations (DepEd Bataan, 2023).
practices.
Current Situation and Challenges
Efforts to Preserve and Promote
Culture and Heritage The Itneg community actively endeavors
to preserve and promote its cultural
Traditional Practice heritage. Traditional practices, such as
weaving, play a significant role in their
The Itneg community actively engages cultural identity and economic activities.
in traditional ceremonies that honor their However, these traditions are under
ancestors and reinforce cultural values. pressure due to various socio-economic
One such practice is the lay-og, a ritual factors.
that celebrates the life of deceased
loved ones.
Challenges:
1. Cultural Assimilation and
Discrimination: Land loss and
integration into mainstream society
threaten traditions.
2. Language Vitality: Younger
Itneg generations are using their native
language less due to migration and
usage of media. Studies have shown
that such dynamics can lead to
language shift and potential loss of
linguistic heritage (Catalan-Francisco,
2015).
3. Economic Pressures: While
initiatives like weaving provide income,
there is a need for broader economic
opportunities to ensure sustainable
development within the community.
Limited access to education and
employment opportunities shows the
economic hardships (United Nations
Office for Project Services, n.d.).
4. Environmental Concerns:
Traditional farming faces restrictions due
to modern environmental policies., and
often view them as contributors to
deforestation and carbon emissions,
leading to restrictions that impact the
Itneg’s traditional livelihoods
(International Work Group for
Indigenous Affairs, 2009).
5. Political Challenges: They are
accusing “red-tagging,” or labeling
indigenous leaders and activists as
communists or terrorists, has been
reported. This not only endangers
individuals but also threatens advocacy
efforts for indigenous rights and
development (Human Rights Watch)
