The Baguio City Council has adopted a resolution requesting the City Health Services Office (CHSO) to replace the general term “Igorot” with specific ethnolinguistic classifications in its official forms and records to ensure accurate representation of the Cordillera’s diverse indigenous peoples.
The measure was approved through Resolution 834-2026, adopting Resolution 06-2026 of the Office of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) Maximo Edwin Jr..
The City Council resolution recommends removing “Igorot” as an ethnolinguistic group option from official forms, databases, and patient records, and adopting specific classifications formally recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
It also recommends providing an “Others (please specify)” option to allow individuals to freely identify their ethnolinguistic affiliation, orienting personnel on the changes, and periodically reviewing classifications in consultation with indigenous communities and relevant stakeholders.
The measure recognizes that the term “Igorot” collectively refers to various indigenous cultural communities and peoples in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), rather than a single distinct ethnolinguistic group. Its use as a classification may therefore result in the misrepresentation of specific indigenous identities.
The resolution further emphasizes that recognizing specific ethnolinguistic identities is consistent with the principles of self-identification, cultural integrity, and respect under Republic Act No. 8371, or the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997.
The City Council’s Committee on Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Cultural Communities recommended the approval of the measure in accordance with ethnolinguistic groups formally recognized by the NCIP.
The resolution requests the CHSO to consider and implement the recommendations in its official forms, databases, and records, consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Copies were also directed to the NCIP, the Office of the IPMR, and other concerned offices for their information and appropriate action. ** Allan Roy Canilang, UP-PIO Intern
