CABARROGUIS, Quirino, Jan. 9 (PIA) — In its goal to make education accessible to Agta youth, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) here has opened the second Agta school at Panganian, San Martin, Maddela.

NCIP Quirino provincial director Manahan Attagoy said the newly opened school will cater to elementary pupils, from pre-school to Grade 6.

Two Indigenous Peoples (IP) teachers were hired under the local school board of the provincial government. They are Jeremias Santong and Minda Bayangan.

The NCIP also coordinated with the PLGU for the provision of school supplies, blackboards, among others.

Meanwhile, the NCIP also coordinated with DepEd for the opening of Grade VI at the first Agta school in Calbo, Dionuan, Disimungal, also of Nagtipunan.

Attagoy said they are concerned with the education needs of the Agta children so they are closely working with the DepEd for the establishment of schools in Agta places in Nagtipunan.

Also, Attagoy said they are working for the needs of the other IP children so they coordinated with the DepEd for the opening of permanent items for IP teachers to be deployed in schools with IP pupils.

Initially, two teachers were already hired as permanent teachers namely, Richard Ponhagban of Diego Silang, Diffun and Grace Tuguinay who was deployed at the far flung IP school of Aglipay.