Dr. Juan M. Flavier and the IPRA

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Roger D. Sinot

ASIN HOT SPRING, Tuba - Dr. Juan Martin Flavier is a “four-eleven” Baguio boy who lived and grew-up in a mining community in Balatok, Itogon, Benguet and later at Scout Barrio. As a young lad, he was valedictorian of his class at the Baguio City High School and worked his way through college and graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP) with a degree in medicine, 1960. He attained his Masters degree in Public Health from John Hopkins University. After graduation, he shunned offers for him to work in the United States and instead chose to be a doctor to rural communities instead.

In 1992, he was appointed by then President Fidel Ramos to the Department of Health (DOH) as its Secretary. In 1995, he became a senator that was followed by another term. As a Senator, he authored legislature to promote public health care and improve quality of life for Filipinos. He penned the traditional Medicine Law, the poverty Alleviation Law, the Clean Air Act. He sponsored a landmark piece that uplifted the lives of Indigenous Peoples, the Indigenous People's Right Act (IPRA).

This small but terrible fellow has written a number of books or his experiences working as a medical doctor for the rural reconstruction movements and as a public servant. He had a unique sense of humor. He also wrote a series of parables. They were printed and published in one of our daily newspaper in Baguio. These short stories he told are familiar events especially in barrios. He designed his stories to illustrate or to teach some truth, religious principles and of moral lessons.

 May I quote and unquote the senator's Sponsorship Speech in the Tenth Congress, Second Regular Session, on October 16, 1996. "The IPs are the offspring and heirs of the people who have first inhabited and cared for the land before any central government was established. Their ancestors had territories over which they ruled themselves and related with other tribes. These territories- the land- include people, their dwelling, the mountains, the water, the air, plants, forest and the animals. This is their environment in its totality. Their existence as indigenous peoples is manifested in their own lives through political, economic, socio-cultural and spiritual practices. The IPs culture is the living and irrefutable proof to this. Their survival depends on securing or acquiring land rights; asserting their rights to it; and depending on it. Otherwise, IPs shall cease to exist as distinct peoples."

The way I understood, the state should recognize the inherent dignity, the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the society for these are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace.

Dr. Flavier is to be remembered as a beloved communicator of humor and a father of his own parables. His wit and wisdom should be recalled time and again on how we IPs inherited our lands from our ancestors. The NCIP Commissioner, ManangBrigitt emphasized this. She said, " Pangaasiju, agjuidah dahuirata budayju!" (Please, don't sell your inheritance! She said so when we had a meeting together with the nominated members of Council of Elders of Baguio last Friday. So, let us treasure the hardships of our folks.

Happy Trails to your journey Senator to that Mansion Over The Hilltop!