LETTERS

Mt. Province folk worldwide denounce ‘anomalous’ Mt-Data-Bontoc Road

To Ms Josephine Dominguez
Sabangan, Mt. Province

Dear Ma’am,

Warm greetings from Tokyo, Japan! Please find below an open letter to all kailyans in Mt. Province. The letter pertains to the implementation of the Halsema Highway Improvement Project. Members of the mountainprovince e-group, of which I am one of the co-moderators, drafted the open letter. May we request your help in making sure that the letter reaches Cong. Dominguez?

Because I have come to know you personally, it was with a heavy heart that I helped draft the open letter. As a father, though, I had to consider what kind of future I want to prepare for my son. I don’t want him and his cousins back home to inherit the same woes we have today, such as anomalous project implementation and unsafe roads and highways. I want them to face more exciting challenges in the future. I know you would want the same for your grandchildren and all i-Mt. Province.

Sincerely yours,
Daniel Peckley Jr.Co-moderator, mountainprovince e-group
_______________________

To Rep. Victor S. Dominguez
Lone District
Mountain Province

Greetings from the Igorots of Mt. Province all over the world!
Please find below an open letter expressing our outrage at what happened with the project. We came out with this letter because we would like to ensure that the actions now being undertaken to correct the defective works of the project will be carried out as required and that defective implementation of government projects in our province, which unfortunately has become the norm, be stopped.

The signatories of the open letter are all humble Igorots who are based in the Philippines and abroad. Signatures were collected, and are still being collected, through the mountainprovince e-group, the Bibaknets e-group, the Igorot Global Organization (IGO) egroup, e-groups of BIBAK/Cordilleran organizations around the world and the blog of Igorotblogger.

Please feel free to visit the mountainprovince e-group archives for more details. The archives of the group, accessible to anyone, can be found on this website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mountainprovince/

May we request help to have this open letter and its list of signatories reach more kailyans in Mt. Province and President Macapagal-Arroyo.

Very respectfully yours,
Concerned i-Mt. Province


An open letter to all i-Mountain Province

We are outraged at how the Halsema Highway Improvement Project in Mt. Province has been implemented. It has turned out to be another project in which hundreds of millions of taxpayers' money were wasted. Worse, due to the lack of safety signs and warnings while construction works were ongoing, an accident happened and a young father died.

Over the decades, we have lost loved ones, opportunities and resources because of the poor conditions of our roads and highways. This is despite the millions, if not billions, of pesos spent for their improvement and maintenance.

How many decades and billions of pesos more will it take before we can have well-paved and safe roads and highways?

The deaths of Mr. Winston S. Pawid and other kailyans, who, like Winston, were simply making a decent living, on their way to search better opportunities or visit relatives and friends, diminish us all.

Our hesitation to talk about these and to take appropriate action, either because we are afraid or not directly concerned, indicates the loss of our moral and cultural values and forebodes that the bells will toll for our demise as an Igorot community.

We ask our elected leaders, DPWH officials and engineers, and the concerned contractors who are supposed to be accountable for the Halsema project: Is this the legacy that you want to leave behind? We take this initiative to speak and make a stand: No more substandard roads and projects!

The future of our children and grandchildren depends much on what we choose to do or not today. By taking this stand and appropriate actions, we are choosing to bequeath a brighter future to them and all i-Mountain Province. Sapay koma!

Very truly yours,

Edwin and Mia Abeya
Rockville, Maryland, USA; Sagada and Bontoc, Mt. Province
Raleigh Agdaca, Melbourne, Australia
Peter L. Agnaonao, Belgium, EuropeBesao, Mt. Province
Bart AlatanSurrey, British Columbia, Canada
Alice Facullo and Chito AlgarneUnion City, California, USABontoc and Abra
John and Josephine Alipit, Michigan, USASagada, Mt. Province
Shimea C. Aniwasal, Florida, USABontoc, Mt. Province
Connie Baluyan - AlfridoWoodbridge, VAFormerly from Balbalan, Kalinga
Charlton & Esther AligmayoBelleveu, New Jersey USABaguio City
Rose "Saydab" Alkemade, Melbourne, AustraliaSagada, Mt. Province
Chester Lee B. Alipit,La Trinidad, Benguet
John D. AllanChula Vista, CA, USAAlab, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Joseph Apacway, Canberra, Australia
Paz AptimesMelbourne, Australia, Masla, Tadian and Sagada, Mt. Province
Willie AustriaBaguio Fil-AmNorfolk, Virginia
Albert S. Bacdayan, 46 Sterling Hill RoadLyme, CT 06371
Byrne Bacwaden, Millersville, MD, USABesao, Mt. Province
Ray Baguilat, Jr.Bolingbrook, IL USA
Gaye BalanayJeddah, KSAAlab, Bontoc, Mt. Prov
Pangco Baniaga, Sagada, Mt. Province
Samson & Rebecca Baon, Jersey City, New Jersey USABaguio City/Sagada, Mt. Prov.
Edwin and Tina BasilioWellington, Florida
Georgina Basilio, West Palm Beach, Florida
Jaime Basilio, West Palm Beach, Florida
Harry P. Basingat, California, USASagada, Mt. Province
Michael Batala, Salinas, California, USA
Gloria S. Batalao Manteca, CA USA
Gilbert G. BatnagAl Ain, Abu DhabiU.A.E.
Hilaria B. Batnag, Baguio CityBauko & Besao, Mt. Prov.
Jonathan Bayogan, Davao City, PhilippinesTadian, Mt. Province
Janet Bawaan, Glendale, CAUSA
Odette Andrada-Belgica, Canada &Bontoc, MP
Benilda Comafay Bennet , Germantown, MD, USA(Formerly from Bontoc, Mtn Province)
Jun and Lily Anne Beswilan, West Palm Beach, Florida
Bill Bilig, Sagada, Mt. Province
Daisy A. Bobeck, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Rufino B. Bomasang, Paranaque, Metro ManilaBesao, Mountain Province
Patrick & Cristabel Bounggic, kVienna, Austria EuropeBugang, SagadaMt. Province
Cecily (Cadaweng) Bourchier, La Trinidad, BenguetMichael Bourchier Melbourne, Australia
Leonardo R. Bugtong, Las Vegas, NV USA
Raymund & Marie Buking, Englewood, New Jersey USABontoc/Sagada Mt. Prov.
Donald / Florence Cabay Derwood , Maryland USATadian / Bontoc Mtn Province
Fitzbert Cadiogan, Besao, Mt. Province
Antonio & Rosing Calado, Belleveu, New Jersey USABaguio City
William and Rosalynda Teckney Callagan, Indianapolis, Indiana USASabangan and Sagada, Mt. Province
Mildred CaluganHon-Atsugi, Kanagawa, JapanBauko, Mt. Province
Emily Capuyan, Niagara Falls, Canada i-Demang,Sagada
Catherine L. Carlin, Cleveland, OHSagada Mountain Province
Ceasar/Elisa CastroVancouver, CanadaTadian/Sabangan, Mtn. Province
Tom and Mary Jane Cayad, Melbourne, Australia
Norma Panglao Chaudhari Mclean, Virginia, USA
Melchora Calang-ad ChinBrisbane, Queensland, AustraliaSagada, Mt. Province
Regie Chumacog, Riyadh, K.S.ABontoc, Mt. Province
Forrest & Mylene Comafay,(Loc-ong Lords Lane,Bontoc)Poway,Ca.U.S of A.
Nicolle Bangloy Comafay, Kyoto, JapanBauko/Bontoc, Mt. Province
Neil D. Culallad, Tsukuba, JapanBontoc, Mt. Province
Cornelia S.Cunningham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
Joseph & Christina T. Dagan, Garden Grove, California, USA
Nestor Damian, Calgary, Alberta Canada
Carmen Falancy Domondon, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIfontok
Kenneth Daoey, Tucson, ArizonaBontoc, Mt. Province
Jerry B. Dizon, Toronto, Canada
Pete Dominguez, Bauko, Mt. Province
Mathilda Dumaguing, Megoru-ku, Tokyo, JapanSagada, Mt. Province
Estifania Esparza, N. Las Vegas, NV USA
Joel Fagsao, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Daphne Falag-ey, Bontoc, Mt. ProvinceSingapore
Deliuz M. Fermin Jr., Hong Kong, SARBontoc, Mt. Province
Brenda D. Fiagoy, Maryland, USABaguio City, Philippines
Geraldine L. Fiagoy, Baguio City, Philippines
Caridad B. Fiar-od, Besao, Mt. Province, Philippines
Douglas Fillag, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIsamoki, Bontoc
Mary Gayomba Flores, Port Hueneme, CaliforniaAlab, Bontoc
Francis Floresca, Baguio City,Bontoc, Mountain Province
Angel Ullocan & Elizabeth Galas, Ewa Beach HI.Ato,Sagada Mt Prov.
Elizabeth Gayumba, Penasco, New MexicoAlab, Bontoc Mt. Prov.
George G. Gewan, Musuan, Bukidnon, Philippines& Sagada, Mountain ProvincePhilippines
Imelda Manganip Giles, Georgetown, KY,USABesao, Mt. Province
Benie Jaime Girmond, Frankfurt, Germany
Gloria Golocan, Renton, WA
Lourdes C. Gomeyac, Baguio City, Philippines
Ezra and Diga Gomez, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Tony Gomowad, Sagada, Mt. Province
Briccio Gulian, Sagada/TN
Lynette Gomez Habawel, New Jersey, USABontoc, Mt. Prov.
Edward Haight, Fujimenoshi, Saitama-Ken, JapanSagada, Mt. Province
Gina Jaime Heß, Karslruhe, Germany
Golda Ateo-an-Henan, China, Icaluttit,Bontoc Mt.Province
Eva Bauding Hubner, Frankfurt, Germany
Arlene Inga-an, Ramstein, Germany
Virginia Panglao Jester, Silver Spring, Md., USA
Gracia Kibad, St. Columban's Navan, County MeathIreland
Gaston P. Kibiten, Baguio City, PhilippinesBila, Bauko, Mt. Province
Susan M. Kilakil, Belgium, EuropeBesao, Mt.Province
Clifford & Rachel Killip, Englewood, New Jersey USASagada, Mt. Prov.
Ernest & Errub Killip, Glen Burnie, MD USA Sagada/Bontoc Mt. Province
Erwin Killip, Engelwood, New Jersey USASagada, Mt. Prov.
Norman & Grace KillipTeaneck, NJSagada & Besao Mt. Prov.
Teofilo Jr. and Teresita Killip, Bristol UK
Rosita Kubulan, Texas U. S. A.
Alredo Labfayong, Zuerich Switzerland
Cyprienne Mabanay Lacaden, Morristown, New Jersey USABaguio City
Nick Lamsis, Cranford, New Jersey USABauko, Mt. Prov.
Theodore M. Lardizabal, Sr.Pompton Plains, New JerseySagada, Mt. Province
Timoteo C. Lasegan, Data, SabanganTabuk, KalingaPhilippines
Jane D. Lee, Agawa, BesaoMt. Province
Shiela Liclican, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Rose Puyao-LingbawanTyson Puyao Lingbawan Okusawa, setagaya-Ku, TokyoFrom Balbalan, Kalinga
Lydia Lingcayo, Toronto, Canada
Liezel Longboan Cardiff, Wales
Malabong Longid, Sagada, Mt. Province
Norman and Luisa Longid, Chicago, ILSagada, Mt. Province
Lila Lumcang, Tokyo, Japan Lagangilang, Abra
Lynn B. Macalingay, Wilmington, MA, USABesao, Mt. Province
Ben Magalgalit, Puerto Princesa, PalawanIsagada
Vicky Malinias, London,UK
Grayle Mangangey, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIfontok
Ryan Mangangey, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIfontok
Joan Mangusan, Kilong, Sagada
Roel & Annabelle Marcadesh, New York, New York USAManila/Sagada, Mt. Prov.
Esther Lacbawan Marshall, Jackson, New Jersey USASagada, Mt. Prov.
Jaime and Sarah Masferre, Roseland, New Jersey. USASagada, Mt. Prov.
Vemileen Baluloan-Maslan andJackstone Maslan, Tabuk City, KalingaBauko/Sabangan, Mt. Province
Annie MatsumuraSaitama-Ken, JapanSagada, Mt. Province
Lilian Peleo-MayKaitaia , New Zealand Omfeg ,Bontoc
Emma Mitrovic, Mississauga, Ontario, CanadaSagada, Mt. Province
Henry Molintas, Olney, Maryland, USA
Joan Moguet, Silver spring, Maryland, USAPoblacion, Sabangan, Mt Prov
Mellane Moguet, Silver Spring, Maryland, USASao,Sabangan, Mt Prov
Tess Oloan Nahlen and Hommer Baybay Nahlen, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIsamoki, Bontoc ya Ibesao
Rose Bawing-Nabert and Claus Nabert, Toronto, Canada i-Sagada
Jocelyn Noe, West Palm Beach, Florida, USABesao, Mt. Province
Cleto P. Oloan, Cabuyao, Laguna Bontoc, Mt. Province
Raymund Oloan, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIsamoki, Bontoc
Maryknoll Padalla, Vienna, Austria
Jessie Padchonga, Pennsylvania, USABontoc, Mt. Province
Lloyd B. Palangeo, Kin-iway, Besao
Pamela Palantis, Melbourne,AustraliaAgawa,Besao, Mt. Province
Sylvia and Douglas Palmer, Seattle WashingtonSagada, Mt. Province/Peace Corp Volunteer
Jose Pampanico, Tokyo, JapanBauko/Sagada
Venus Peckley, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaIsamoki, Bontoc
Daniel Peckley Jr, Silahis Ocampo-PeckleyKita-ku, Tokyo, JapanBontoc, Mt. Province
Raymond Peleo, Cherry Jimenez Peleo, San Jose CaliforniaIlocos/Omfeg, Bontoc
Jean Pengosro, Tokyo, JapanLa Trinidad, Benguet
Henry & Nellie Pit-og, Jr., Centreville, Virginia, USA.I-chak-chakan, IfontokI-Sagada
Lydia Pongtan, Toronto, Canada
Reginald & Donna ReynaL, ong Island, New York USABaguio City/Bauko, Mt. Prov.
Ma. Hazel A. Rivera, Tabuk, KalingaPhilippines
Cherry Ann Sad-ang, Toronto, Canada
Mr. & Mrs. Lambert Sagalla, New Jersey, USABesao and Bontoc, Mt. Province
Joseph & Beng Sagandoy, Muntinlupa, Metro ManilaBontoc, Mt. Province
Samuel Saldaen, Buguias, Benguet
Joseph and Inez Saley, New Jersey, USAI-Kapangan ya I-Sagada
Julio & Emilie Salio-an, Northvale, New Jersey USABontoc, Mt. Prov.
Roy & Valentina Salvador, Parsipanny, New Jersey USABaguio City/Sagada, Mt. Prov.
Sony Touche K. Sawad, Pittsburgh, PAAlab, Bontoc, Mt Prov
Virman L. Sayang-od, Mabalacat, PampangaBila, Bauko Mt. Province
Loreta Bosaing-Shibasaki, Tokorozawa City, Saitam, JapanSagada, Mt. Province Gloria and Donald Simon, Glenview, IL USA
Ronald & Jojie Singson, Chino hills, CaliforniaIcaluttit, Bontoc
Joyce Aniwasal Sola, Florida, USABontoc, Mt. Province
Elizabeth Macliing-Solang, Baguio CityBontoc, Mt. Province
Ray H. Solomon, Los Angeles, CaliforniaBalili, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Romie Soria, Long Island, New York USABontoc, Mt. Prov.
Sarah Baguiwet Souffrant, Harlingen, TexasUSA
Nelia Jaime Starke, Dietzenbach, Germany
Antonio & Linda Sucdad, Bergenfield, New Jersey USALa Trinidad/Sagada, Mt. Prov.
Abigail C. Tauli, Northvale, New Jersey USAPuguis, La Trinidad
Andrew A. Tauli, Payeo, Besao, Mountain Province
Esperita Teckney, Data, SabanganTabuk, KalingaPhilippines
Joel L. Teckney, iData-iSagadaTabuk, Kalinga
Herman and Lourdes Toyokan, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, JapanBontoc, Mt. Province
Tony/Ching Trinidad, Queens, NY, USABontoc, Mt. Province
Silva D. Tsuchiya, Baguio city
Nancy Basilio Vargas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nover/Betty Velasco, Benguet/KayanHesperia, Calif. 92345
Manny Belgica Vergara, Bontoc, Mt. Province
Fely Jaime Waltenberger, Spielberg, Germany
Jessica Jaime Waltenberger, Munich, Germany
Jerson Watan, Manila, PhilippinesiTadian, Mt. Province
Philian Weygan, Baguio City, PhilippinesBesao, Mt. Province
Julia Capuyan-Wernsdorf, Sagada, Mt. Province
Isabel Badongen Wolfe from Bauko, Mt. Province
Benedict and Mellicynth YodongBontoc, Mt. Province
Nestor A. Yodong, Sagada, Mt. Province