Gov. Edduba eyes property rights for iKalinga garments and cultural practices

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Kalinga Governor James Edduba is pushing for intellectual property rights for traditional iKalinga garments and cultural practices, aiming to protect indigenous heritage and ensure sustainable cultural preservation for future generations.

In his recent statement during the Regional IPED Conference 2025 on October 21, 2025, at the Kalinga State University (KSU), Bulanao Campus, Edduba highlighted plans to work toward securing intellectual property rights for indigenous garments to protect them from misuse and cultural appropriation.

The governor stressed that this initiative not only honors the craftsmanship of iKalinga weavers but also ensures that their work is rightfully recognized and respected both locally and internationally—with legal protections firmly in place.

“...and padasen mi kuma nga makaala ti intellectual property rights panggep dagitoy garments tayo ditoy Kalinga ken even diay practices tayo… mamati ak nga daytoy ti mabalin tayo nga i-contribute tapnu maitultuloy kuma ken ma-sustenar ti practices tayo,” he said.

Edduba also revealed ongoing efforts, in collaboration with KSU and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), to institutionalize a Bodong Institute at the university.

“We are trying to sustain and preserve dagitoy ugali tayo ditoy Cordillera because I believe nga daytoy ugali tayo nga inggana paylang tatta ket adda kanyatayo ket it has deepened our roots. That is why we are also working with KSU together with the OPAPRU ta ma-institutionalize diay nga agbalin nga maysa nga institute ti bodong ditoy KSU,” he said.

The push for intellectual property rights is part of a broader cultural preservation agenda in Kalinga, aligning with national efforts to promote and protect indigenous heritage across the Philippines.

As an example, the governor cited Kalinga’s pride in holding two world records—the largest gong ensemble and the largest banga (clay pot) dance—both achieved through community-led cultural showcases on February 15, 2023, during the province's 4th Bodong Festival and 28th Founding Anniversary.

These records, he said, reflect the deep-rooted unity and pride of the Kalinga people in their heritage.