It is an innate social practice of the Kadaclan Ethnic group of Barlig, Mtn. Province to extend assistance to their members in cases of sickness and other extreme situations.
They describe this practice as “angpat” (assistance) handed down by their forebears. Assigned collectors called “mangangpat” visit genealogical families in the four Kadaclan barangays of Chupac, Kaleo, Lunas and Ogo-og including Banao, a barangay of Natonin but part of Kadaclan Ancestral Domain wher “e-Kachacran” dominate the inhabitants-
Collectors even travel to Baguio and suburbs where e-Kachacran reside or are employed. They solicit money to defray the expenses of any of their “kailians” who incurred hospital bills from sickness or medical operation, accidents, etc.
This cultural practice evolved such that when a family needing help reports their problem to the Council of Elders stating all the relevant facts, then the Kadaclan Association of Barangay Officials (KABO) designate among themselves collectors who will go around to solicit donations. On an agreed date, they remit the money to the family concerned.
Before, only close relatives were solicited from, but it later became a tribal duty so everybody or all inhabitants—“sapasap”– have to share their resources.
Lately, the Kadaclan Council of Elders came up with an internal rule that the immediate family affected shall shoulder the first P50 thousand of expenses or bills. Over and above that, the other tribal members or inhabitants of the domain will have to contribute depending on the kind of sickness or bills incurred.
When the date of submission of collections come, all the “mangangpat” will gather at the house of the family needing help for lunch. Together, they count the money collected to solve the (money) problem.
A story goes that a religious pastor deployed in Kadaclan had a stroke or a heart attack..After a series of referrals, he was brought to Baguio General Hospital. Since the family could not afford the hospital bills, the Kadaclan folks contributed to settle these. Many “e-Kachacran” went to attend his burial at Buguias, Benguet.
Such an indigenous social practice which should be preserved indeed. It is worth passing to inconing generations.** By Dionie Chungalan
