Integration of the Kalinga Bodong System into the province’s formal education approved

Tabuk City, Kalinga – To further ensure that the province’s rich cultural heritage is passed down to future generations, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga, headed by Vice Governor Dave Odiem, has approved the integration of the Kalinga Bodong System into the province’s formal education during its regular session on November 18, 2025.

The legislative measure, spearheaded by the Committee on Rules and Ethics chaired by Board Member Christopher Dona-al, seeks to incorporate the indigenous peace pact mechanism into the curricula of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

In Report No. 17, Series of 2025, obtained by Guru Press Cordillera from a legislative staff, the committee emphasized that the Bodong system is an “essential part” of Kalinga’s cultural identity. It noted that while the youth naturally inherit the tradition, formal instruction is necessary to ensure they understand, appreciate, and preserve the mechanism effectively in modern times.

The committee also highlighted that the initiative is supported by the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997, which mandates the preservation, protection, and promotion of indigenous knowledge systems, practices, and customary laws—including the Bodong.

Furthermore, the committee pointed out that integrating the traditional peace pact into the DepEd and CHED curricula aligns with national learning directives on culture-based education, contextualized curriculum, peace education, and local history. DepEd and CHED, it said, “have existing policies that allow the integration of local culture and heritage into instructional materials and course content, especially in social studies, Philippine history, and indigenous studies.”

With the approval of the august body, the request will now be forwarded to the education agencies for the inclusion of information on the traditional peace pact as part of students’ learning or as a formally recognized subject.

The Bodong system is a highly structured process involving designated elders (pangats) who serve as negotiators and custodians of agreements. It functions as an established peace mechanism that promotes harmony and cooperation among the province’s different tribes.

Beyond serving as the traditional means of settling disputes, the Bodong also establishes customary laws governing matters such as trade, resource access, and other inter-community relations—fostering unity, stability, and mutual respect.