A proposed Provincial Indigenous Peoples Tribal Center in Nueva Vizcaya is being pushed as a permanent space where Indigenous communities can preserve their heritage while gaining better access to health, livelihood and educational opportunities. The initiative seeks to address the needs of about 18 Indigenous peoples’ groups whose communities are spread across the province.
For millennial Isinai leader Sherlock Jama Magaway, the proposed facility could serve as a permanent second home for Indigenous peoples. Magaway is a member of the Isinai Council of Elders in Aritao and founder of Uwwa si Vizcaya (Brother/Sister of Vizcaya).
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A Shared Space for Culture and Governance
Magaway sees the project as a way to connect traditional knowledge with the needs and perspectives of younger generations.
“As a millennial elder, I believe I can be a bridge between our elders’ wisdom and the energy of our young people,” Magaway said. “The tribal center should not only protect our past. It must meet the needs of our people today — from health to livelihood — while uniting elders and youth in charting our future. We will continue to protect culture and tradition; we will fight for the rights of every Indigenous Vizcayano.”
The geographic spread of Indigenous communities is one reason proponents see value in having a province-wide facility. Nueva Vizcaya lies where the Cordillera, Caraballo and Sierra Madre ranges meet, with tribal communities located in both upland and lowland areas.
Among the major groups are the Ifugao in Quezon, Bagabag and Kasibu; Gaddang in Solano and Bayombong; Isinai in Dupax del Sur, Bambang and Aritao; Dumagat in the Aritao area; Kalanguya or Ikalahan in Santa Fe; and Bugkalot or Ilongot in Alfonso Castañeda and Dupax del Norte.
Other groups included among the 18 are Ibaloi, Kankana-ey, Iwak, Tuwali and Ayangan, which are found across upland municipalities. Eight are recognized as ancestral domain holders: Isinai, Bugkalot, Gaddang, Iwak, Kalanguya, Dumagat, Ayangan and Ibaloi.
From Cultural Preservation to Basic Services
With communities ranging from remote mountain villages to more accessible towns, gathering tribal councils and members regularly can be difficult. The Ammungan Festival, held every last week of May, currently serves as the most visible province-wide gathering of these groups, while councils outside the week-long event often rely on municipal halls, barangay centers or open grounds.
The proposed center is envisioned to provide a more permanent venue for tribal councils, rituals and community assemblies, while also creating space for teaching Indigenous languages and documenting traditions and customary laws.
Its proposed role would extend into community development through livelihood training, educational programs and youth wellness activities. These programs are intended to help maintain connections between elders and younger members as the latter encounter greater exposure to lowland employment and digital culture.
Basic services are another part of the proposal. Magaway said the facility could incorporate basic medical services, making primary care and essential health support more accessible to Indigenous families, particularly those living in remote and underserved areas.
The advocacy group Uwwa si Vizcaya, which is rooted in Magaway’s Isinai heritage, promotes inclusive progress, Indigenous rights, livelihood empowerment and community service.
With 18 groups spread across 15 municipalities, proponents see a permanent tribal center as more than a venue for cultural activities. It could provide a year-round space for Indigenous communities to organize, pass on traditions and pursue practical opportunities in health, education and livelihood, complementing the province-wide unity represented by the Ammungan Festival.
For Indigenous communities in Nueva Vizcaya, the proposed center could help make essential services and opportunities more accessible while giving cultural traditions a permanent place in provincial life. More broadly, the initiative highlights how preserving Indigenous heritage can go hand in hand with improving access to services and supporting inclusive development in communities across the country.
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