HAPPY WEEKEND

Gina Dizon
James Balao: Pursuing indigenous peoples rights

The disappearance of James Balao deserves the concern of every Igorot, every Cordilleran, every person concerned about human rights and Indigenous Peoples integrity. On the celebration of Indigenous Peoples month this October or any day for that matter, calls for identifying the selfless commitment of James Balao towards justice and recognition of Indigenous Peoples rights. If you are one, you have all the reason and cause to call for James Balao’s abductors to surface him now!

James Balao, 47, writer, social activist, and indigenous peoples rights advocate, had been missing for a month now. He was reportedly kidnapped on Sept 17 by elements of the Military Intelligence Group and Intelligence Service Unit of Region 1, in La Trinidad, Benguet.

Balao graduated1981 at the University of the Philippines College Baguio with the degree BS Psychology. He was a consistent honor pupil and topped the national exam maintaining his scholarship from secondary to college at UP. He served as editor-in-chief of the official student paper, Outcrop.

The idealist and the intellectual in him, Balao involved himself in research and writing for both academic and non-government organizations. One of Balao’s major research is "The land problem of the Cordillera national minorities."

Balao had also been a researcher with the schools-related non-government organizations NGO, Cordillera Schools Group which produced resource materials on socio-economic features of the Cordillera which serve as supplementary reading materials for secondary schools, now that the indigenization of the curriculum is widely recognized. He became a member of the Philippines’ Constitutional Commission where he drafted Constitutional provisions on Indigenous Peoples' rights.

“With his vast knowledge we hope and pray that he will not be harmed and set free as soonest so he will continue his work for the upliftment of the lives of the Cordillerans”, Fr. Arthur Balao, James’ father said in his letter to the public. The Balaos are from Atok, Benguet.

James’ many researches and writings and involvement in committees and commissions related to Indigenous Peoples issues has contributed directly and or indirectly, to provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution on the recognition of indigenous peoples rights. In one way or another, his researches, writings and concrete involvement on indigenous peoples issues has contributed to the creation of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and land reform covering indigenous issues on ancestral domain.

He has poured his time and intellect in pushing forward the upliftment of Indigenous Peoples in policies beneficial to Igorots specially. Where NGOs only give subsistent allowances to their staff, James has opted to choose this path and work for dreams as his contribution, in one way or another, now enjoyed by Cordillerans/Igorots on the creation of structures, jobs, and opportunities for indigenous peoples of the Cordillera.

Along with other freedom loving ideologues and activists who push forward what indigenous peoples rights and justice means, his is a path which is rarely taken. His path is rare for a first child of the family to take and a family’s sacrifice to take.

It’s a sacrifice worth taking for dreams that can be achieved. For rights to be recognized. His path is extraordinary not everyone would like to take, not a materially benefiting one, for a talented and educated person who has much options to take. James’ father is correct. The knowledge of James is worth continuing.

Already a month since he disappeared, Balao cannot be reached. Nobody knows how he is except his abductors. Is he alive? How is he? Is he hurt? These are questions that need answers. For James’ abductors to kidnap him and deny him of his rights to move freely, and think they can get away from it is not taken lightly.

In news reports, military’s Northern Luzon Command Lieutenant General Isagani Cachuela urged militant groups to “file charges instead of launching propaganda campaigns” blaming them for the mysterious disappearance of Balao. The military commander tagged “search” campaigns by the Baguio-based Cordillera Peoples Alliance as “demolition campaigns” where “the accused have no chance to defend themselves.”

Balao’s disposition as a soft spoken and cultured person and his involvements in person and in work does not in any manner place him to be abducted by any one else, except for the government’s military forces, believed to have done James’ disappearance, the latter being involved with the CPA.

While Lieutenant General Isagani Cachuela says that the “accused“ (military) have no chance to defend themselves exactly puts James Balao in a position where he cannot defend himself. As of now, military authorities have not issued a statement where they categorically denied or admitted that they are responsible for James Balao’s disappearance.

The government’s Oplan Bantay Laya which has labelled progressive organizations such as the Cordillera Peoples Alliance as “sectoral fronts” of the Communist Party of the Philippines has practically placed CPA staff as “communists.” James helped found the internationally renowned organization Cordillera Peoples Alliance in 1984. He works for the Cordillera Peoples Alliance when he was abducted.

Where Balao’s abduction could have been that he is a suspected “communist”, puts a question of, is it wrong to act for the welfare of indigenous peoples and human rights? At this onset, we take recognition of the extra-judicial killings of activists Romy Sanchez in 9 March, Pepe Manegdeg in 29 November and Albert Terradano in 30 November, all in 2005, believed to be perpetrated by elements of the government’s military forces. They are all young men full of dreams for the upliftment of justice and human rights, choosing a path not many would like to tread.

Communism is a thing of the past. The Philippine government and its armed forces command is still stuck on the idea that such an ideology exists to the extent of implementing inhuman and illegal acts of enforced disappearances and extra judicial killings of suspected ”communists.”

Such a reason to exist and hound on perceived “communists” is an outdated figment of the imagination. It is an obsolete, unworkable and unlawful method to this present world which is moving to an international state of up-front, lawful, peaceful, and encompassing means to pursue understanding of basic and complex issues which cuts across politics and economy.

Since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power in January 2001, there are now more than 903 reported cases of extra-judicial killings and more than 200 cases of forcible disappearances in the Philippines. It is now the 2nd most dangerous country for trade unionists. Despite this terror, the Filipino people’s resistance continues. I would like to express my deepest concern that James Balao, who has not been seen since 17 September, may have been subjected to enforced disappearance by the security forces.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

The fare hike squeeze
GINA DIZON

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- I would like to talk about transportation hike and the travails that it is giving the commuting public. I received a text message from my niece who goes to a local college saying that the fare to nearby Bontoc town is now P50 from the former P35. The most that I could tell her was to ask her classmates who take the 18-km jeepney ride from Sagada to come together and protest.

I was feeling composed that she and her classmates will rally the drivers to bring the fare down to at least P40 from the former P35. Any amount that will roll the amount down from 50 will at least add for her allowance. What happened? I was disgusted when I came to know from some people in the sleepy town that students who attended the consultation were the ones who approved the fare hike to P50! I

f that is true, here are students who are still going to school, dependent on their parents and guardians for their fare and everyday needs and they have the nerve to approve an excessive fare hike? Students I know are still at their idealism and questioning stage so why the approval?

I asked from my niece if she was one among the students who attended the consultation and came to know that she was not. That brought my irritation toned down a little bit. Nevertheless, and in what ever angle you will see it, the fare hike is excessive. An increase of 15 is too much. Let us see what authorities say about the fare increase.

The P1increase was approved by the National Economic Development Authority board after a presentation by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board. The fare hikes came as fuel prices continue to increase 18 times for a total of 35 percent since January. With NEDA’s approval, jeeps nationwide would now be charging P8.50 from P7.50 for the first four kilometers, plus P1.50 for every succeeding kilometer.

Reports say, for ordinary buses plying Metro Manila, the increase will be from P9 to P10 for the first five kilo­meters, plus P0.20 for every succeeding kilometer. For the air-conditioned buses, the increase would be computed as 20 percent of what is charged by ordinary buses. Reports said this was from P11.50 to P12.50.

For ordinary buses, the increase would be P1 for the first five kilometers on top of the existing P9 minimum fare or a new total of P10. An additional 20 centavos will be added to the existing P1.75 for every succeeding kilometer reports say.

Meantime, provincial bus operators sought a 20-centavo-per-kilometer provisional fare increase. The P0.20 adjustment will be on top of the P0.50 provisional fare increase granted by the LTFRB in May. The provincial increase brought the fare to P2 from the previous P1.50 per kilometer.
To use the above calculation for PUJs for the Sagada-Bontoc route, I came up with a calculation at P29.50 per way. The increase of P15 to 50 is something I’m not fully resolved with except that I see its excessive.

I came to understand that drivers and operators have to apply for a special fare in cases of a difficult terrain, higher cost of fuel, and maintenance cost. If the Sagada drivers and operators will properly present their calculation to LTFRB and LTFRB consents to a P15 increase, then the 50 transportation cost would be proper and legal.

While this is the case, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations will join the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide in moving for the abolition of the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

P33-M Cordillera fund/ MP special elections
GINA P. DIZON

BAGUIO CITY -- Again, this topic is seemingly boring. Yet we dwell with it for quite some time again with Cordillera Month being celebrated this July. National Economic Development Authority regional and Regional Development Council chairman Juan Ngalob said ‘We need to motivate others” in the move for Cordillera autonomy. Joining him was former NCIP officer Fernando Bahatan Jr, in urging participants if the autonomy forum held last July 23 at the University of the Cordilleras to go for regional autonomy.

It had been nearly 20 years since the two plebiscites had been conducted which resulted to a NO vote on regional autonomy. Yet, after all those years, the response is still basically the same. Cordillerans are wary of approving autonomy for the Cordillera. Based on a recent survey sponsored by RDC which was published in this paper months back, 65% rejected autonomy because respondents here simply did not understand Organic Acts providing for regional autonomy. This was compounded with pessimistic positions that autonomy will not bring anything good in their lives and people are confused on different opinions on autonomy. Where lack of understanding and information is the problem, this brings us to ask what efforts are being done to address this gap to let Cordillerans know what autonomy is all about.

Ngalob said the national government forwarded P33 million for Cordillera matters which includes the conduct of information-related activities for 2007 and 2008. He said the amount of P5 million had already been spent for the survey, among other expenses. This brings us to a remaining amount of P28 million. Ngalob during the forum said RDC will go slow in implementing this amount. What plans does RDC intend to do? The forum did not elaborate much on this however. But Ngalob said advocacy on regional autonomy would reach the public. How will this be done?

Where lack of information is the problem, why don’t the RDC give the work to the Philippine Information Agency and other private information outlets do the information drive. With information which is readily available and information which needs to be dug, journalists as part of their daily work can easily do this job. Add to this youth and sectoral organizations who can naturally, as part of their activities do community based information activities. Lack of information has since been the problem. Where money is the problem, P28 million is available and much can be done with it. The Cordillera Studies Center has done already lots of research and field-based data on issues of Cordillera concerns, and so with other non-government agencies dwelling on Cordillera concerns.

So with the departments of Agrarian Reform, Natural Resources and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples. Otherwise if not, what had they been doing? It would be a matter of packaging available information and let the people know the relevance of these researches to regional autonomy. PIA and other information outlets and organizations to include student and youth groups have the capacity to do this work. Plays, skits and other innovative methods aside from roundtable discussions, fora, and forms in tri-media are effective ways of letting people be informed of what they are lost of.

In the same development, it was learned that autonomy-related researches are on the pipeline by RDC in collaboration with government offices including NCIP and some non-government organizations.

Are results of these researches dependent on advocacy and autonomy- information drives? That is, are there not already available information which can be packaged in order that the drive on autonomy push on while waiting for scholarly researches to be published? Otherwise, after ten years, with the way that we are moving, we will be back in 1990 when the first plebiscite was conducted.
***
Six months had already passed since Mountain Province Rep. Victor Dominguez died, yet lawmaking bodies have not yet acted on a political decision to have special elections in the province. The seat is still being comfortably occupied by caretaker Kalinga Rep. Manuel Agyao. While others also sit back comfortably and wait for the next elections in May 2010 to come, others are not that comfortable sitting down. Mountain Province Gov. Maximo Dalog said the provincial government is willing to bankroll the holding of the special elections if the funds will not exceed P3 million. How true is this? The Commission on Elections has also not issued any go signal on the availability of funds for special elections in Mountain Province.

Understandably, funding for special elections should come from the National Government. Obviously, the reason is that lawmaking bodies are not forwarding any measure for the holding of special elections for Comelec to give a certification. For whatever reason that is, these law making bodies who hold elective positions are not paving the way for people to exercise their fundamental right in electing their own leader. As we know, self-serving motives and interests as what local newsman Gregory Taguiba said, governs the thinking of these elective officials. Amen to that.

Equally, people of Mountain Province are also cool about holding special elections. Raising a complaint seemingly is a non-practical issue which is better spent on working for a kilo of rice to be cooked for the next meal and on for the next meal. Yet, on the other hand, where to get the next meal is dependent on being concerned about who decides on how much a kilo of rice costs.

Anyway, House Speaker Prospero Nograles said no special elections have been set for Mountain Province, "unless all the members of the (recently combined) Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) leaders agree and file a bill for the activity.”

The Speaker was in Baguio City recently for the joint declaration of merger between the ruling Lakas-CMD and Kampi political parties represented by Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan and Rep. Agyao. What future awaits the peaceful people of Mountain Province who are at the waiting end for what their leaders will do for them?

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HAPPY WEEKEND

What are we celebrating in Cordillera month?
GINA DIZON

That was 22 years ago when rebel priest Conrado Balweg signed a peace accord with then President Corazon Aquino at Mt Data Hotel in September 13, 1986. A year after, Aquino signed Executive Order 220 in July 15, 1987 which gave birth to the establishment of Cordillera Administrative Region paving the way for Cordillera autonomy. Republic Act No. 6766 followed on October 23, 1989 which provided an Organic Act for CAR and policies set for the proposed Cordillera autonomous government to exercise governmental functions including tax generation.

On the Cordillera region’s 21st anniversary and its ideals of what it purports to be, what do we see now? As we can obviously note, the dream of slain rebel priest Conrado Balweg to see a freely determining and progressive Cordillera is yet far down the road. For one, the region’s natural resources are still within the absolute control of the State.

Consider Magat River which flows in the jurisdiction of Isabela and Ifugao. While rules provide that the share of local government units in taxes which accrue from the use of respective territories will be provided to LGUs, this does not come automatically.

Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat has to lobby for the release of Ifugao’s share in taxes from SN Aboitiz due the province from operations of the Magat Power Plant. The amount of P28 million share of Ifugao still awaits legal mandate from the Department of Energy for them to release the tax share of Ifugao.

As it stands, Ifugao and Isabela where Magat Dam sources hydroelectric energy from Magat River stands to profit from the company’s taxes with a 50/50 share from the 114 million transfer tax accrued from the sale of the Magat Hydro Electric Power Complex to the SN Aboitiz Power from the National Power Corporation.

And that is true with other hydro-electrical plants of the region. Benguet is still claiming for its due on taxes from Napocor and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation for the use of its water resources.

Recently, P11.9 million was released by the national government for Benguet’s share in wealth taxes due operations of San Roque Dam after years of battling for this. San Roque Dam sources its hydroelectric energy from Agno River located in Benguet. But that is not all of the amount of what Benguet is claiming. Still, such taxes are claims years back which have not been given to the LGU. If not claimed, then it follows that the government will not be remitting these amounts due the province.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan and the people of Benguet are set to collect P198 million in taxes from Napocor -- P116 million in national wealth tax for the San Roque Multipurpose Dam in Pangasinan, P56 million in franchise taxes and P26 million in real estate taxes for the operation of Binga Dam. Such a big amount of money which could uplift the lives of hundreds of the province’s constituents.

Benguet suffers in Napocor’s refusal to pay franchise taxes for Binga Dam. Benguet LGU has to file a case in court to collect franchise taxes since 2001; and power sales Napocor made from 1992 to 2007.

Meantime, GMA ordered the release of P124 million national wealth tax for Benguet due the province from the operations of Philex Mines Corporation at P71 million, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. worth P15 million since the last quarter of 2005.

The amount of P38 million is due from the Hydro-electric Development Corp. and the Northern Luzon Mini-Hydro Corporation since 1992.

The province’s share dates years back and the law is not facilitating an automatic share of the LGU’s share from the wealth of its own resources such that it needs the President of the State to bless the release of funds which rightfully belongs to the LGU and its respective constituents in the fist place.

In the same manner, SMART and other telecommunications facilities also are built on the towering peaks of Mountain Province. Yet, companies continue to pay their taxes straight to the national coffers as what the State’s commercial laws provide.

We still have to hear from respective local government units their shares in taxes due these giant multinational companies who continue to use the local resources at very measly arrangements.

Now comes the bill of Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan calling for the direct remittance of taxes of companies operating within the territories of local government units. Refiled by Domogan in the 14th Congress, these bills are pending. Control of natural resources is directly related to a region’s autonomy. Yet, income from these resources are not within the peoples’ control. That is, not within the Cordillera Administrative Region’s control.

The region abounds with rich natural resources where income could be generated. Consider rivers of hydro-electrical potential including Magat River, Agno River, Chico River, Sifu River. Consider towering mountains where giant telecommunication companies have to set up their relay towers to reach the farthest that its cell site can reach.

It is a pity that poverty in the Cordilleras is still a glaring reality. Poverty worsened in the Cordillera between 2003 and 2006. As per the latest estimates of the National Statistical Coordination Board, poverty incidence of families in CAR rose from 25.8 percent in 2003 to 28.8 percent in 2006.

Similarly, poverty incidence of population increased from 32.2 percent in 2003 to 34.5 percent in 2006. While we have the resources to get out from poverty and not let human and brain resources leave the Cordillera abroad for greener pastures, these income from natural resources remained out of our hands for years. Regional autonomy was touted as one answer to these woes but it dragged on for 22 years until now.

How serious is the government in facilitating autonomy for the Cordillera? And, how serious are the people in seeing autonomy happen? While we celebrate Cordillera Month, what are we celebrating for? Where is our passion for what Cordillera and what does autonomy mean? ]

Since two plebiscites had been rejected by the people of Cordillera on regional autonomy in 1990 and 1998 and, this move for autonomy is still vague in the minds of the people. Obviously, the survey some months back says 40 percent don’t. Yet, first the people have to do their practical part in acting out what self determination means.

Claiming for what is due is one’s right, an indication of being conscious about autonomy. Yet, I haven’t heard of tribes in the Cordillera claiming for their taxes due from Napocor or tribes from Mountain Province claiming for their taxes due from SMART. It’s only the enlightened officials who are claiming what is due their respective jurisdictions like governors Fongwan and Baguilat. The others?
Meantime, we ask: Where did the P30 million fund drive for autonomy go? It would be good for the regional development council to explain where the money went and let the public know what autonomy is all about.

Also, what did the defunct Cordillera Executive Board do? After a few years in operation, it is interesting to ask what it had done for the Cordillera and the preparations it did in paving the way for regional autonomy. Perhaps we can learn from there. Then, we can celebrate.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

What attracts tourists?
GINA DIZON

SAGADA, Mountain Province -- Tourist destinations have their own attractions which lure travelers. Consider some information sourced from the internet. The age-old Taj Mahal located in Agra, India is known for its spiritual and architectural record. Built under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, at least 3.2 million tourists last year visited this finest example of Mughal architecture.

Egypt which is one of the oldest civilizations of the world has heritage sites such as the Great Sphinx and the pyramid of Giza. More than a million and half plus a half million Egyptians visit the museum annually.

In India is Silambattam, one of the oldest traditional martial arts of Tamil Nadu that deals with stick fighting. Online info says Silambattam is gaining popularity among international tourists because of its holistic approach.

Not only are historical places of interest being visited. The wonders of nature makes many a tourist visit astounding natural spots to indulge in sight seeing.

The vastness of the Grand Canyon of Arizona averages at least 4.7 million visitors annually.

The crossing of wild beasts from the Mara River from Tanzania to Kenya lures visitors to this area to witness the animals’ annual migration. About 95,000 tourists visit Maasai Mara Game Reserve before the migration season ends. The animals are expected to return to Tanzania in October.

The Philippines too, has refreshing tourist destinations which saw nearly 3.5 million visitors last year. The white beaches of Boracay are a favored destination and so with the exotic beaches and wildlife of Puerto Galera. Too, the Chocolate Hills is a major attraction of Bohol.

The Banaue Rice Terraces carved into the mountains of Ifugao has been described as the eighth wonder of the world and considered a heritage site by UNESCO in 1995. The age-old Hanging coffins and caves of Sagada keep visitors going up north of the country to add to a cool climate. Too, Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines is an invigorating retreat for those who want to escape the heat and the fast life in Manila.

In Van, Turkey, a saloon keeper offers a wide range of fresh cream, herbal cheese, and yogurt to travelers. Along with his breakfast dishes served in his Milk House, he tells riddles and satires to his customers.
***
If there is one major reason why tourists visit another place, this is to encounter or experience a different culture or take a healing break from work and routine. The host country now has that responsibility to let the visitor be relaxed and healed where in exchange for expense. We refer to the government and private establishments who should provide reasonable service to customers. This includes security, transport, tourism infra, IT availability and accommodation considering that net tourism income in the Philippines totaled $2.1 billion in year 2000.

Tourism in the Philippines started to flourish in the 1970’s up to 1980's, slowed down then upped in the early 1990’s. About 1.2 million tourists visited the Philippines in 1992. In 2000, the Philippines' tourist arrivals totaled 2.2 million with 2.8 million in 2003. Forecasts for 2007 indicated 3.4 million tourists visiting the country last year.

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Happy Weekend

Father’s day
GINA DIZON

Father’s day which is just around the corner reminds me of my father, Bienvenido Dizon Sr. he died May 29, 2001. This now is his 7th year anniversary. Fathers are perceived as disciplinarians. I guess this one value that my father instilled. Discipline starts in the home. I guess I am a disciplined person and this I owe to how I was raised. I’m talking about self-discipline – to be able to discern when one is going overboard, to stop when necessary and to be able to check one’s own limits.

He had no property to give us. Except the values that remained. Not to get the property of others. I guess that was a better inheritance to give one’s children. Not to steal and deceive someone of his or her own property. Am not a saint though and I have my own misbehaviour.

He was contented with what he had. In this consumerist world, you just have to be contented with what you have within your means. Otherwise, you will steal public funds, sell illegal trade, or grab someone else’s property in order to cope with what somebody has. Otherwise, you will just have to work decently. That sounds better.

Then you will have your own properties you can call your own and be genuinely and honestly contented.

Being contended will lead one to discover what one has within. Explore and exploit that potential to the fullest without trampling on somebody else’s foot. It takes ounces of values and self-reflection to discover one’s self and own potential. What am I talking about? I am just an average person with average skills. I’m not a top executive or even passed the Bar. Yet, there are simple values in life which one just has to have.

On top of everything else are responsibilities in life. A parent does not own his children. Children have their own generations and concepts of looking at life. Yet, basic values remain which will guide them in life. And this, the parents, the father has to instill to his children, I value the freedom, the space, and the independence given me in my upbringing.

Otherwise, life will be a race to have a degree, a house, a wife, a husband, a child then to die. Life is meant to be enjoyed pace by pace, inch by inc – chewed and swallowed. Live to the fullest without trampling on another person’s life. What is important – values to get by in life. Belated Happy Mother’s Day and come June 15, Happy Father’s Day!
***
The greatest Father of all is God. He instilled values to mankind for people to get by. Values of compassion, justice and love. These values remain and here’s hoping you have these. From here, everything else will follow.

Just imagine a world where there is no justice. Tyrants will rule. The oppressor will always oppress and the oppressed will remain oppressed. Dictators will keep people ignorant and keep them in chains. Information is denied and rights are trampled. While others will eat, some will die of hunger. Can you stomach that?
Imagine a world where there is no compassion. People are led by the neck, whipped and left to die. The basic element of that feeling called compassion is devoid in one’s psyche in a person who has no kindness in himself. Everyone will be cruel and crush another mercilessly. You like that? This world will be a world of emotionless beings. You’re capable of that?

In the search for justice, love is a basis. You won’t tolerate injustice and continue loving somebody. Justice and love comes together.
Imagine a world where there is no love. People will have emotionless relationships. Relationships mean things and when you don’t have a thing, you’re nothing. Relationships mean that we can touch.

What you can’t touch like justice or compassion or love is nothing. It has to be a rock or a plank of wood. Woodstock in the ‘70s basically threw message in the world. Make love not war. Even dogs have feelings. Dogs will laugh at a person devoid of what love means.

And so He instilled these values to his Son, Jesus Christ. To every church goer, you recite the Apostles Creed all the time. So you know what it means. To non-church goers, you have values to get by, either from your village, from elders, from this world. Yet wherever and whatever you learned, basic values remain – love, compassion and justice. Then, we can say that we are truly Christians or that we are human.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Special elections for Mt Province (Part 11)
GINA DIZON

Who does not want special elections for Mountain Province? Those who are interested in perpetuating the caretaker-leadership of Kalinga Rep. Manuel Agyao would not favor special elections for a congressman in place of the congressman Victor Dominguez who died Feb. 8. And why would they want Agyao to represent them? A friend said, because money talks and the P780 million is ready for implementation for Baguio-Bontoc, Bontoc - Ifugao and Bontoc- Kalinga road construction.

Just how valid is my friend’s answer? The congressman as we know plays a major role in facilitating infrastructure funds as had been implied in the controversial implementation of Halsema Highway SONA projects . We talk here about SOPs and commissions from contractors who get the juicy contracts.

Second, only those who are anxious and worried where to get the money to hold special elections would not want special elections. Now, this is the job of government to provide the needed funds for an elective post to be filled up. It is not you or me to be worrying about funds to use for special elections. Unless you are a congressional aspirant, of course you get worried where to get the resources to finance an electoral campaign. Nevertheless, it is the job of concerned officials to let authorities allot funds and release the money for special elections.

Third, only those who are not conscious of their political rights will be the ones who would not want special elections. A political right is a vital right for any responsive citizen of this country to elect his representative in government. The Constitution specially provides the law for a special election in case of vacancy of an elected post.

Fourth, only those aspirants who are not ready to run at this early time because they don’t have the funds and they don’t have the guts.

Only those who don’t really care whether Mountain Province is run by a white elephant or a cow would not gun for special elections. For special elections to be held for the Representative position for Mountain Province, the sooner the better.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Special elections in MP needed
GINA DIZON

And so Kalinga solon Manuel Agyao is now sitting as caretaker-solon representing Mountain Province, in place of the late Rep. Victor Victor Dominguez who died February this year. He must be grinning from ear to ear, what with the move of Mountain Province politicians who endorsed Baguio solon Mauricio Domogan who traces his roots from Mountain Province to assume the role of the temporary caretaker position.

Surely people from Mountain Province also don’t like it that someone not from Mountain Province and not even a voter of the province is assuming such a privileged position. What good tidings will he bring?

Agyao’s appointment as caretaker was based from House Rules adapted in the appointment of caretakers whereby the lawmaker is appointed with the same political affiliation and closest in terms of the geographical location to the province. Now the question is the duration of the term of Agyao being a temporary caretaker-solon for Mountain Province .
***
I am reminded of the state of Bangladesh now which is under a caretaker government. Under the law of Bangladesh , the caretaker government shall exercise its powers within three months. Bangladesh however is still under a caretaker government since its assumption late last year. Whatever happened, the situation says the law can be abused, meaning it can be stretched or limited depending on who is pulling the strings.

But that is Bangladesh . What we shall talk about is more on Philippine politics. Focus: Mountain Province. Up to when will Agyao stay as caretaker? For sure, he will not stay there until the coming of the May 2010 elections, him being in a caretaker position.

What are the conditions of his term of office? The people should know otherwise, it is going to be eventually accepted that Agyao will stay as a temporary caretaker until the May 2010 elections. And that is 22 months away from May 2010. This composes 65 percent of a three year full term which is nearly that of a full term. There is much to do in that duration. A regular representative would better be elected.

That is why a special election is needed the soonest possible time. For sure, there is no situation for a clear and present danger nor a political crisis for Mountain Province constituents to be denied this political and civil right as soon as possible. Otherwise, the government is denying a basic political right for citizens to elect their officials to represent them.

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Ganging on the gongs

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh -- If there is one thing which brings Indigenous Peoples together, it’s the playing of the drums and gongs. And so it is manifested during wedding celebrations, victorious exploits, and agricultural festivals when the community members come together and join in the celebration of the event. It is during this time that relatives, friends and the community join in the celebration and feel the spirit of what cultural togetherness means.

In contemporary times, we have been witness to the conduct of the Lang-ay festival among the people of the Mountain Province come every April 7 in commemoration of the celebration of the province’s foundation when residents from the ten towns come together and share the diversities of their respective culture.

The Adivay Festival among the Benguet people also do likewise during their foundation day. A moment of togetherness is also witnessed among Ifugaos during their Tungoh or Imbayah festival in June.

It is interesting to note that even hostile tribes come together and take part in such celebration as noted among the feared Basao tribes during the laglagsak ya ab-afak (fun and contest) Unoy Festival in Tinglayan Kalinga. Such an effective way to bring warring tribes together which is seeing progress.

Similar activities happen during this festivals- a display of cultural attires, cultural presentations, indigenous games, photo exhibits, and the conduct of a cultural ceremony to grace the occasion.

Among the Adivasi- Santals of northwest Bangladesh, while they conduct the above, they hold the festival to discuss issues which are vital to them. In a Baha (Spring) festival for one, some Santals here at Godagari of northwest Rajshahi came together and talked about their land- related problems in workshops specially held for the purpose.

Much as they held discussion workshops among themselves, speakers also delivered their thoughts and perspectives on dealing with the current land problems of the indigenous peoples here.

Some 90 percent Adivasis here are landless due to land grabbing committed by non-Adivasis. Even their sacred graveland of their forefathers have been turned into khas land (land open for application) by the government of Bangladesh .

Likewise, with the issue of autonomy and other issues as well which hound the Cordillera, festivals could play a big role in coming up with collective insights on how development could be seen in this very timely occasion. While it may be considered a time to play and enjoy, it is also a time to come together and talk.

The celebration of Cordillera Day for one, which is held every April 24 by the militant Cordillera Peoples Alliance makes it a point to discuss issues which are of vital importance to the economic and political life of the Cordilleran.

Autonomy is one lingering issue which had been given many attempts at making it happen. Letting it tested and discussed during these provincial festivals or during a Cordillera festival for one could be one way to know if such is a feasible idea. How consultative the discussion-participants would be though is a major consideration so that it would not end up as a gathering of power-hungry politicians or a roundtable of development technocrats.

In much the same way, other issues which grab the limelight of Cordillera concerns pertain to graft and corruption especially where it concerns infrastructure projects. Just how open and transparent government would be in finding a schedule and discussing these issues during a festival which usually lasts to a maximum of 7 days, is something to think about.

That elusive quest for unity, peace and development among Indigenous Peoples does not seem that elusive after all when festivals happen and the playing of the drums and gongs begin.

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Moon festivals and lunar planting

HAPPY WEEKEND
Gina Dizon

CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS, Bangladesh -- Indigenous people have one thing in common: agricultural festivals which happen before the full moon. Here among the Adivasis of the Chitaggong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, the new year is celebrated on the second week of April when the moon goes to a waxing state fit for planting crops.

The celebration of the ending of the current year and the beginning of the new year happens on April 14, known as Boyshaki (Baisabi) or Bizu among the Chakma tribe. Chakma and Tanchangya refer it as Biju. Marmas refer it as Shangrai and among Tripuras as Baisuk or Baisu.

A vegetable curry called payson or paychan is served. Resident-IPs and visitors visit homes to partake in eating this tasty and spicy curry of a mix of vegetables including eggplant, yam, fish, and pepper.

These vegetables are grown on the jum, found on the hilly areas. April begins the burning of weeds and grasses in the hilly areas to start new grasses to grow upon the ushering of the April rains.

Associating the moon, festivals and planting maybe superstitious yet, science has its explanation. The Earth in its gravitational field is influenced by both the sun and moon. As Isaac Newton has established, the tides are affected by the gravitational pull of the moon.

Being closer to the earth, the moon influences the tides at its highest at the time of the new and the full moon, when sun and moon are lined up with earth. The pulling of tides from the ocean causes moisture to rise in the earth, which encourages growth. The highest amount of moisture is in the soil at this time, and tests have proven that seeds will absorb the most water at the time of the full moon.

“Gardening by the Moon” by Caren Catterall shares the following: At the new moon, the lunar gravity pulls water up, and causes the seeds to swell and burst and creates balanced root and leaf growth. This is the best time for planting above ground annual crops that produce their seeds outside the fruit. Examples are green vegetables and grain crops.

In the second quarter the gravitational pull is less yet moonlight is strong. Strong leaf growth is manifested here. It is generally a good time for planting, especially two days before the full moon. The types of crops that prefer the second quarter are crops produced ground, but their seeds form inside the fruit, such as beans, melons, peas, peppers, squash, and tomatoes. More moisture is created and encourages seeds to sprout and grow as experiments and practice among indigenous peoples have shown.

John Jeavons, author of "How to grow more vegetables…" adds the influence of the increasing or decreasing moonlight on the growth of plants. When the moon is in it's waxing phases "increasing amount of moonlight stimulates leaf growth" and "as the moonlight decreases the above ground leaf growth slows down. The root is stimulated again."

After the full moon, as the moon wanes, the energy is drawing down. The gravitation pull is high, creating more moisture in the soil. This is a favorable time for planting root crops, including beets, carrots, onions, potatoes, and peanuts. It is also good for perennials, biennials, bulbs and transplanting because of the active root growth. Pruning is best done in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter there is decreased gravitational pull and moonlight, and it is considered a resting period. This is also the best time to cultivate, harvest, transplant and prune.

The mainstream Bengalis also celebrate the new year in the same date where the moon also plays a significant factor in holding the date for the celebration.

Similarly among the Igorots of Mountain Province, a festival called begnas happens towards the waxing of the moon, when the indigenous people start planting beans and corn.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Tourism peaks and downs
GINA DIZON

Tourism reaches its peak in later months of the year towards the Lenten season. And during this time, tourism means one thing. Income for the people of the locality where tourists visit. In a developing country where every peso counts, it means a lot to poverty stricken people.

It means money to send a child to school, pay utility services, pay debt, buy food and to buy important commodities. Tourism no doubt, helps families augment their income and the country in boosting its economy. In the year 2000, income in Philippine tourism totaled to 2.1 billion U.S. Dollars.

The Department of Tourism reports the Philippines ' tourist arrivals totalled 2.2 million. In 2003 it totalled 2,838,000 and has grown by almost 29 percent It is expected to grow as much as 3.4 million in 2007. In the first quarter of 2007, tourist arrivals in the Philippines grew as much as 20 percent in the same period last year.

While tourism has its ups in economy, it would be good to look at what the places of interest offer to tourists and the people as well. Baguio still has to live up to its image as the summer capital of the Philippines considering its pestering problems about lack of water, garbage disposition and market congestion where the local government seemingly has not made an inch of progress to do something about it.
***
Yet, these seems to be regular problems one sees anywhere where there is a growing population and a place becomes urbanized or becomes more urbanized, which should all the more make the local government act on irritating issues which are not getting addressed.

Up north in Mountain Province and Ifugao of the Cordillera region, garbage disposal is a persistent problem. A drive along the road at the Mt Data cliff in Bauko, Mountain Province will let one see dirt and litter cascading down the slopes finding their way to the Chico river.

The same thing is found along Sumigar slopes in the contested boundaries of Mountain Province and Ifugao. Yet, we speak of the famed rice terraces in Banaue and Mountain Province .

I guess insensitive and unconscious people who don’t care about environmental health better take their lesson from residents of the tourist town of Sagada. Residents here do waste segregation, recycling and cleanliness making the environs clean. This tourist town attracts at least some 15,000 tourists a year, making its peak in December to the Lenten season. ***
In La Union, things seem to be peaking up with the links between Bauang Paradise International Development Corporation and DEMCOR Inc to boost tourism. In the same way, issues of environmental and social health need to be carefully considered in the tourism plan of the locality.

With environmental and social health consciously practiced in and around the corners of tourist towns, tourism would be more development and people-friendly, and on the process means more income for the community.

Signs of a faster growth in tourism showed it was up in the early 1990’s as compared to the turbulent years of the 1980s. About 1.2 million tourists visited the Philippines in 1992, which was a record high in the number of tourist visits since 1989, DOT records have bared.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Gambling in tourist town
GINA DIZON

Cordillerans from the international community supported the plea of Sagadans to rid the tourist town of gambling operations. Posting their signatures on the net via BIBAK and Mountain Province nets, Cordillerans based in the US, Australia, Canada, forwarded their support to the petition of the residents of this tourist town.

Residents of this peaceful village wrote town Police Insp. Eduardo Tufay to stop gambling operations in their hometown. Apparently, gambling has reached a point where savings of families and their properties as well are being pinched off for gambling.

Truly, this move by the residents deserve to be supported for the basic reason that a person works for what he receives. This is cultural, moral, and legal as well. With a people who are known for their hard work and industry, gambling just isn’t a way of livelihood in order to get by among the people in this village.

Work means getting up as early as 5 a.m., preparing food for the family and preparing to work in the fields as well. Land is farmed regularly from weeding to tilling to harvest with women, men, and the children taking part in the farm work. Eating from the toils of the soil goes along with the value of work and getting what one deserves from the work one has placed in.

One who goes outside of the soil and works in other legitimate occupations in and outside of the village including migrant work takes on that discipline one has learned at home. This gambling where one sits and tosses on those gambling dices and cards seemingly does not speak of what work means -- culturally and morally.

It’s not a surprise that people in this town are taking this illegal practice seriously. Although grumbling has been heard among some people for quite some time, a signature campaign such as this has gone to a real proper petition to do something about it.

People in this community are known for their frugality as well. Which thus explains their plea to “save the countless families of their savings and properties”. Where the letter is directed to the police inspector to consider gambling being “rampant”, this means policemen have to be serious about it and do their job, pronto and nothing more, nothing less.

It means the law should be upheld and the culture to be upheld as well. In the same manner, it means the peoples’ legitimate and valid sentiments have to be upheld as well and not to be subservient to the wishes of a few gamblers. Calling on Insp. Tufay to act on the petition against gambling.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Interesting: IPs on money terms with mining company
GINA DIZON

The acceptance of the indigenous peoples of Tuba, Benguet of a production sharing agreement with Philex Mines takes on a fresh twist on how indigenous people control their resources -- with royalty fees.

The agreement means continuous operation of the age-old mining firm based in Benguet for Philex Mines to persistently mine a 98- hectare territory in exchange for multi-million royalty fees. This begins with a P60 million in royalty fees for 2008 and 2009 which is computed on a monthly basis. The royalty fees shall be given yearly. A 100,000 financial assistance will be initially given upon execution of the agreement, news reports say.
Such a big amount of money and it seemingly promises to partially answer financial woes of the residents and respond to educational and economic upliftment of the people concerned.
Pragmatic as it presents, the mining company and the affected people are on talking terms with the mining company getting what it wants and the people getting their resources’ worth. The actual figures and partnership terms are transparent enough and financial
returns would remain to be seen.

The agreement is not only about finances, but also a conscious watch on the environmental effects of the mining operations itself. How regulated and how safe are these operations so as not to affect the environment and the health of the people themselves is a concern to watch at the same time.

Just how alert and concerned the people will be in safeguarding their own safety and go beyond the financial take is interesting to note. With the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act placing a legal foundation of indigenous peoples acting on their own interests and backed with the law’s provision for “prior informed consent,” the action of the IPs in Tuba is a contemporary example of dealing with a situation which is already there.

Age-old mining companies such as Philex Mines and Lepanto Mines have been conducting their mining operations for quite some time and giving pittances of donations to IPs and local governments at their own sweet will.

Employee-miners, most of them are indigenous peoples, have been consistently clamoring for just wages and just labor practices from these companies. Environmental attention as well have been a consistent demand among militant organizations and includes among other demands the non-expansion of operations due to environmental hazards which mining poses.

Now, it takes on a new twist as the indigenous peoples are now asking the money’s worth of their resources and which asking is answered in a parallel manner. With this, new production sharing agreements are seen to come between IPs and the mining companies in other mining areas.
***
I am reminded of SMART company with its cell site in Sagada, Mountain Province which gives only P40,000 yearly rent to the indigenous village of Balugan for the use of their land for the relay tower. Forty thousand you ask me compared to the millions of money that the telecommunications company will get by using someone’s land is beggar’s money. Yet, laws seem to be elusive on how to exact the company’s taxes and other legal fees by using outside resources for its operations.

It is from this context to note that the bill filed the second time by Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan directly appropriates taxes from companies operating in areas outside of their headquarters to concerned local government units.

Currently, the laws provide that the company will pay it taxes directly to the place where its principal address is found. Most big companies such as mining companies have their main addresses in Manila .

In the present set up, the companies pay directly to the national treasury. The Dept of Budget and Management appropriates the 40 percent share of the local government units to the LGUs. But this does not happen. It takes lobbying and pressure from local government units to still ask the DBM to allocate the law -provided share of the LGUs. As a remedy therefore, Domogan’s proposed bill provides for direct payment of taxes to be given to the LGUs concerned where the company operates in the LGU’s territory.

These taxes, if the proposed bill will be pproved will add more income to the community where the company operates aside from direct royalty fees which it pays to the affected peoples. With these new developments, things are bound to happen for the development of indigenous peoples communities, the Cordillera, especially.

This brings us to the lingering and seemingly difficult quest for regional autonomy. Events come to overtake this desperate move for Cordillera autonomy with actions already being done bilaterally. How will this autonomous government for the Cordillera make a difference?

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Concretizing autonomy
GINA DIZON

DAKKA, Bangladesh -- The results of the survey on Cordillera autonomy just says one thing: What is autonomy? It is strange that 40 percent of Cordillera respondents don’t know what autonomy is.

With 60% of respondents categorically answering Yes (27.9%) or No (34.6%) to the question of the readiness of the Cordillera to become autonomous, it implies they are informed or assertive on their categorical responses. Whatever arguments they have, they can neutralize or persuade others to their sides – those who do not know or are still undecided whether or not to go for autonomy.

Obviously, saying Yes is a move which could be termed as daring or risky. If not now, then when? is the question for the Yes mover. A sound and feasible rationale based on concrete potentials needs to be presented to the public -- what regional autonomy means other than a Yes vote. It is a question on how firm is this position with regards to financial and administrative capacity of the Cordillera to go into autonomy. It basically asks how politically relevant is the move to push for regional autonomy.

The No position obviously implies a cautious step in going for an uncertain administrative or political set-up for the Cordillera which could be categorical or conservative. Why go into a set up when there is already an administrative and political structure in place?

An unsure and shaky setup on how financially and administratively capable the envisioned administration will be is one major consideration in taking a No position, apparently. And as said earlier, what is the importance of going into this political exercise considering national laws and policies which may contradict what regional autonomy means in its genuine meaning?

Preparations for an autonomous regional state is based on what Executive Order 220 provides. With this, one question is how politically objective administrative systems will be in place with Cordillera autonomy.

Many lessons need to be learned from the the setting up and operations of the flawed Cordillera Executive Board before going into an autonomous set-up. From here, we could understand the position of those who took No as their answer.

While Yes presents itself as an aggressive stance, caution and careful study still needs to be done on how to approach a seemingly highly politicized administrative autonomy for the Cordillera.

For the Yes movers, it would be good to ask why the need for Cordillera autonomy. What pressing issues are there at the moment that autonomy could solve for the Cordillera? How receptive are people on political and economic issues which affect their lives?

It is from a politicized mind that a resounding Yes will be generated from the populace. From the results of the survey however, extensive and intensive political work still needs to be done on the ground level. A half-baked autonomy cannot be rammed down the throats of the people who still have doubts and questions un-answered on the matter. A mere 27.9 percent who answered Yes is an isolated scenario.

Going into apparently, a forced movement with no visible and felt reason for such a movement at this time would be a futile exercise. Groundwork for a political atmosphere to set the motion into a strong movement for autonomy needs to be done.

It is the job of those who are voting for Yes to galvanize a conducive political atmosphere and work fon pressing issues which need to be highlighted in order to create the atmosphere for a Yes vote. And this needs time and work.

Issues on economic unrest and development are classic examples in setting up a political movement, that is, the autonomy movement to get going. Add to this Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan’s bill on direct appropriation of taxes by local government units from corporations operating in respective LGU territories, including pressing issues against corruption and the autonomy move may go an inch further. Perhaps, the Yes votes will increase as No advocates will be persuaded to vote Yes.

In much the same way, those who voted for No should state their reasons for saying so and come up with sound and viable answers why No is the better option. Perhaps the present setup is fine and going for another administrative political set up would be a frustrating exercise. Is autonomy relevant and feasible at all for the Cordillera?
***
The approval of the House Bill filed by Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan on direct remittance of national taxes by companies operating in respective LGU territories comes as a welcome development from the House of Representatives.

The amendment if finally approved as law will add to income of local communities if the Senate approved it. It shall be recalled that the same Bill along with other introduced House bills had been pending in the Senate before elections were recently held last May. The bill was refiled with the resumption of Congress this year.

While this comes as a welcome development the second time around for the Bill to be approved in Congress, further lobbying needs to be done on members of the Senate for their approval. Just how receptive are senators and the President to the proposed law remains to be seen.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Caretaker government and electoral reforms
GINA DIZON

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- The call for Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign is on with the consequent question of either calling for a snap election or the installation of a caretaker government to momentarily hold power in preparation for the regular elections in 2010.

Moves for installing a caretaker government is under the leadership of Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomya and the Laban ng Masa. The KME had called for designating the Chief Justice as caretaker President pending the election of a president and vice president in 2010.

Such an envisioned caretaker government takes on a radical step to implement reforms in this country which has shown persistent moves to repeatedly oust Arroyo from her seat and who along the process has also repeatedly survived radical coup attempts with a supportive mainstream army and police beside her. With a president who is going to sit for ten years since her election last 2001 is on the hot seat.

These persistent moves to make Arroyo step down along with her seemingly non-existent vice president obviously for a number of reasons include among others the Hello Garci tapes which exposed the president’s dishonesty in having won the 2001 elections, the Diosdado Macapagal highway graft controversy and a number of extra judicial killings which are yet still unsolved.

On the other hand, a movement urging Arroyo to resign and call for a snap election is being called by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and coup leader Sen. Antonio Trillanes among others. At this time, it would be good to look at the current experience of Bangladesh in how it is dealing with its political issues through the assumption of a caretaker government late last year.

The Bangladesh caretaker government has postponed the regular elections which was supposed to be conducted March this year to December next year pending reforms in the electoral process including updating the voter list and include every citizen legitimately considered a bona fide voter in the list

Along with electoral reforms being done on the way is the government ‘s resolve to rid the government of misfits who had been raking in money from the government’s coffers for their personal aggrandizement .

The Anti Corruption Commission has gotten both former Prime Ministers Bangladesh Nationalist Party Zhia Khaleda, her son, Tarique Rahman, senior joint secretary general of BNP; and Awami League Leader and former Prime Minister Sheik Hasina sued for corruption charges. Both are detained along with top officials in government accused of graft and extortion charges.

With a country which is considered one of the most corrupt countries in the world in the first five of the scale while considered as one of the poorest countries also, the moves of the caretaker government comes as a breather for the mass of the 140 million people of Bangladesh in their quest for a better governance.

To contain a political situation which may go volatile anytime, the parallel support of the Bangladesh army led by General Moeen Ahmed for the caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed to institute electoral reform measures and moves against corruption, apparently, is going on smoothly.

Back to Philippine setting, how relevant are these political movements in the life of Juan de la Cruz ? One of the reform measures called for by KME and Laban ng Masa is the revamp of the Commission on Elections and the implementation of anti-poverty measures like lowering of the cost of other basic commodities.

Electoral reforms along with a new administration is indeed a crucial thing to consider before the 2010 elections.

Obviously, one of these electoral reforms is the genuineness of how much a candidate really has to spend in an election campaign including money to buy votes. In Mountain Province, despite reported massive vote buying, election expenditures submitted at the Commission on Elections bared scandalous contrasting figures.

Mountain Province Rep. Victor Dominguez reported a measly P 237,2310 representing cost for food and transportation expenses and other donations in the recent 2007 May elections with a jurisdiction composed of some 86,000 voters. Can you believe that? Yet, every congressman and those who ran in higher positions could have spent millions to gain a prized political seat as a governor or a congressman for that matter.

This submitted amount of course is fishy with millions reportedly spent during the recent May 2007 elections. For one, this solon allegedly gave out P1,500 per poll watcher and an additional P500 per assistor. With at least two watchers per precinct in the 612 precincts of Mountain Province , this would amount to P1.8 million. And this is less the amounts given to assistors and the money spent during the whole campaign period.

Commission on Elections rules provide that candidates can only spend a maximum of P5 per voter if an Independent candidate while those belonging to a party can spend maximum of P3 per voter. To abide with the law, a political candidate could only come up with doctored list of expenditures in order to abide with the law. Yet, are these figures true?

Is the Comelec monitoring the actual amount spent vis a vis the expenditures submitted? Otherwise, submission of expenditures is only a formality, nothing more nothing less, to rid elections of whatever election irregularity there may be like vote buying.

With loose and toothless implementation of the law, massive vote buying goes unhampered. Check for statements and data by the Parish Pastoral Council on Responsible Voting and you will note how money could flood the streets during elections as if money has rained from heaven and a new life of abundance has come down to earth. But of course, that is one flick of a finger of ease in exchange for years of suffering. That is, how much of electoral reforms can the envisioned caretaker government do from here where massive vote buying is concerned.

Whether the voting list is updated is another question. Accounts have been heard of names of dead people still in the voter list. One voting precinct in the north which listed the name of a dead person has been found out to have been utilized as a vote. Along with this irregularity, include flying voters who register in more than one precinct.

Anomalies go on and on and a caretaker government, if it is going to institute electoral reforms as its priority move will be moving in the right direction. While it is a question of how supportive the Philippine army and police will be in this endeavor is another question as a caretaker government obviously is a revolutionary approach which needs the back up of a strong armed force to institute the necessary measures..

Voting practices so far have gone unchecked and a snap election is not going to check electoral reforms. Starting on the right foot is needed to begin a model. Calling on a snap election will perpetuate the same electoral system where cheating may happen. Installing reforms would be better to be in place first.

While this is the case, the Philippine government has yet to be serious in implementing anti corruption drives first and foremost to its alleged erring officers and officials who are accused of graft and corruption. The serious moves of the caretaker government of Bangladesh against corruption are inspiring and serious endeavors to be copied by countries whose respective public officers are exercising corruption in their very offices and depriving people of the needed services.

For one, the slow action on Department of Public Works and Highways regional director Mariano Alquiza and other top DPWH officials are yet to be suspended or discharged from office despite investigation that irregularities indeed has been performed over road infrastructure projects on the 100 year old dilapidated Halsema highway up north in the Philippines.

Charges against President Arroyo for electoral fraud and corruption remain unheeded which is one of the reasons why the Philippine was considered the most corrupt in Asia in an earlier study by Hongkong –based consultancy group, Political and Economic Risk Council .

With a caretaker government in the offing, a serious drive to wipe out corrupt people in government would be a radical move for such transition government to institute. At the same time, a snap election is being bannered as a political move by other political personalities especially disgruntled senators and congressmen in the government’s fold.

These twin measures are being presented for Juan de La Cruz of the Philippine Republic to choose from. Either way, the measures initially call for president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

From the Boondocks
GINA DIZON

DHAKA, Bangladesh-- I like this blog site, From the Boondocks, administered by Bill Bilig. To go to this site, turn on your computer, log on to the internet and go to www.igorotblogger.blogspot.com. While it is very Cordillera, it is updated of events especially happening in the five provinces of the region.

Moving with the times, I noticed the blog posts issues about anti-corruption drives like its road watch on projects going on along Halsema road. From the blog site, suggestions are forwarded and discussed and positive actions consequently arrived so that the talking will not be No Action Talk Only.

Comments from readers of the blog site are also asked about lack of water in the Mountain Province . What happened to the touted water projects and has there been a trickle of water from those much awaited pipelines? It would really be good to talk about this issue as water is a dire need for every one and especially in towns where tourism is equated with water facilities equally in the same manner that locals need water too. The blog also features what public officials like Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat tells about curbing corruption and jueteng, policy advocacy and eco-cultural tourism.

I came to know of the recent post about a P500,000 award for anyone who knows information that would lead to the arrest of the aleged gunman of slain Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr of Abra.
The blog also has its postings about the ‘uglification’ of Baguio City by artist-writer Chit Balmaceda, getting readers aware about what is happening to dear old Kafagway which has now become ‘ugly’ with its many infrastructure projects which spring from out of nowhere including a cement tree atop Session Road.

This way, the e-Abra or the e-Mt Province or the e-Ifugao or the e-Kafagway wherever he is in the part of the world will know what is happening in his hometown. The wonders really of information technology or what is commonly known as internet has made the world smaller and faster in communicating with friends and loved ones wherever they maybe.

Sourcing its news from weekly Cordillera regional papers including Northern Philippine Times, Northern Dispatch, Baguio Midland Courier to national news including GMA news and the daily Sunstar, From the Boondocks also gets its updates from other sites blogged by Cordilleran worldwide. Click on the site and get to know the bloggers, anonymous or not, linked to igorotblogger.

Sometimes I get fresh news from the Cordillera which did not appear in the regional papers. Just where Bill Bilig gets his sources speaks of the journalist in him. I got fresh news about the recent death in Toronto , Canada of caregiver Jocelyn Dulnuan from Ifugao while national and local news haven’t yet printed the story. This link by igorotblogger got national and local news writing about the story.

Earlier, I got the info about Abra students having been ‘abducted’ by military elements in the borders of Sagada and Abra, in the blog site, while regional papers and even people in Sagada did not know anything about the abduction.

This blog site is also interesting with its postings on Cordillera achievers including Blessing Taclobao from Tadian who won in a US-based spelling contest. It also posts our very own Star Struck survivor Marky Cielo from Bauko and now two Cordillerans who are vying for celebrity posts in Korea .

While the blog site is good for students who wish to research about anything about the Cordillera- from what is historical to what is new- it is also good for those who attempt personal reflections from the mushy diarist, the bizarre intellectual, the socialist- ideologue, the straight-cut political analyst to the cold critic.

This blog, Smorgasboard of Random Thoughts by Atty Cheryl Daytec-Yangot is something refreshing. It really takes a busy lawyer to sit down, let the mind roam and soar and write literary attempts while busy with cases.

Not only do you read the site’s contents, you could also post your comments about recent or old issues and rave all you want, whether you like what you are reading or you just don’t care, no problem. Reactions and comments come in incised, mild, some sarcastic, some heavy, some loaded, some encouraging, some depressing, yet in the end, there will be somehow a constructive solution with the Igorot in the dap-ay/ator speaking in us; and further will get some wise and good insights from Bill Bilig too.

For the Cordilleran/Igorot bloggers and net surfers, and anybody interested to know about what is happening in the Cordillera via internet, log on more to igorotblogger.blogspot.com.
It’s a site for the student, the yuppie, the 40’s, the 50’s, the retired, the bored, the busy, the realist, the romantic, the optimist, the pessimist, the pragmatist, the dreamer, the egoist, the altruist, the Igorot far away from home or the Igorot at home. Whoever you are, one thing is sure, you would like to connect and get to know what’s on, what’s in, ‘From the Boondocks’.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Remembering the souls of the departed
GINA DIZON

DHAKA, Bangladesh – With the just concluded All Saints and All Souls Days to let us remember the souls of the departed, I pitch in some values I learned from family, friends and neighbors who joined the Creator and who mattered to me whose goodness amidst human frailties I take note.

I cannot forget my father Bienvenido for showing how to live a simple life. Simplicity came along with not taking what does not belong to you. While he showed how it was to live within one’s means, life was difficult having to stretch what was available and not begging or bootlicking from somebody else.

Call it to the limits, a personal pride of going by within one’s capacity is a strong value I learned from my father. He died six years ago. Till this time, this resilience to prod on in the most self-determined way has guided my self-respect through the years to check some abuses, intentional or unintentional, which I committed along the way.

I cannot forget my grandpa Alfredo on my mother’s side. Unlike my father who talked loudly at times, my grandfather calmly talked and did his work and responsibilities. He died when I was 13. My grandfather had this sense of justice which cuts through with no favoritism.. He did not tolerate foolishness and there was one incident I cannot forget. I was then in my primary years when a neighbor-friend and I lit a neighboring cogon house which set smoke and flames shooting up.

This subjected me to a whipping by my grandfather. While that was a naughty and innocent prank done by a nine year old kid, that whipping incident instilled in me not to take favorites when discipline as precedent comes first. It was a lesson which I am still learning in different circumstances.

I cannot forget my grandma Emilia on my mother’s side. Patient, forgiving and kind. Close to the hearth and close to the earth, she taught me how to value the oven and the soil as well where food came from to cook in the oven.

This I guess was the most sustaining and intense imprint which I continue to carry in me. The soil which I tilled with my grandmother who taught me how to weed and dig sweet potatoes or what we call “ubi”, made me appreciate the value of hard work to get something like food.

Along with this came the forest where wood fuel and “ka-iw” (wood) was taken to light the oven to cook food. Life was difficult as compared to the present where a click of a gas stove is enough to heat what is to be eaten. Life, I have come to know, is worth living having and one has to value the land where one has been brought up.

I cannot forget my grandmother Soledad on my father’s side. She died when I was seven. I remember her with that Maria Clara dress which she carried imperiously along with a commanding voice wherein her instruction was final. Along with that aristocratic bearing in her, I sensed a deep sense of spirituality and social belonging she had with her which awed me.

I cannot forget a neighbor-nurse Inan Ann Timpac who was the best friend of my grandma. She died a few years earlier than my grandma who died in year 2000. She nursed my grandfather when he was sick and bedridden with diabetes.

When she came to see her patient, she always had a long chat with my grandma. I heard their conversations. I came to know of her cutting, practical and ascerbic remarks which could wound feelings, the remarks if taken objectively were true. Where journalism calls for hard facts and cold critique, Inan Ann who is also an auntie is best remembered.

I cannot forget a neighbor -- aunti Flora Bawing who instilled strong values of family responsibility amidst the odds and exercised social consciousness at the same time.
Having to take care of two demanding responsibilities at the same time was really something worth doing and learning from. Her children grew up with their own respective careers and equally have the sterling qualities of their mother worth passing on. She died two years ago. Her daughters are my very good friends and conversation with them goes with lots of laughter, wit, sense and respect for each other .

I cannot forget Kalog-id, a good friend and a townmate who died some years back . Sprightly and buoyant amidst a life which made her responsible for a sick mother while thinking of the welfare of a daughter estranged from her. Kalog-id must have carried a motto that life was too short to live by and being cranky just made life bitter and not helpful in making things better. Be happy.

The list could go on with family, neighbors, friends, classmates, colleagues, townmates, who joined the Creator earlier and left imprints to live by with human weaknesses and redemption worth learning from by the living.

In the event of these two soulful occasions, Padi Brent sent me a text message last Thursday worth considering from a preacher which left me meditating on the sinner in me and how much of a ‘lotus’ one can be.

As I am holed up somewhere here in the vast universe where lotus is their national flower, I am wondering how such an independently soulful and meaningful flower could abound in a country where corruption and conspiracy are a fact of life.

Anyways, the text message: “Confucious says, ‘Be a lotus’ which means no matter how ugly and how evil and how sinful everyone around you might become, don’t allow yourself to be stained. A lotus remains beautiful even as it lingers in the filthy waters of the pond. Don’t be contaminated. Don’t be influenced by worthless means. Remain radiant among the shadows of darkness. Be a lotus. It has to start with one, to fill the pond with more”.

Thanks Padi for the soul-searching and enlightening message.

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HAPPY WEEKEND

Justice for Jocelyn’s death
GINA DIZON

The death of Jocelyn Dulnuan, a 27-year-old migrant worker at Toronto, Canada comes as another blow to Filipinos, Cordillerans, Ifugaos and
especially to the victim’s immediate family.

This is another instance of a migrant Filipino worker who dies in an unfortunate
incident while serving in a place away from loved ones and one’s country. Jocelyn died in still unsolved “foul play” circumstances at the palatial house where she works as a caregiver in Missisauga City, Toronto last Oct. 1.

Initial police reports said Jocelyn’s death involved robbery and homicide. Her remains were brought home last Oct. 17 from Canada and brought home to her hometown in Hingyon, Ifugao.

This is to mention also other migrant Filipino workers who died in other instances who have also fallen victims by "foul play" to a harsh and unequal world where most countries are poor while a few are fortunately rich. Reports estimate an average of eight corpses of OFWs who arrive at the Philippine airports everyday.

This, while millions of Filipinos flock to rich developed countries to work as domestic helpers, care givers, construction workers, truck drivers, factory workers, chambermaids and leave their families to look for work and money in order to send children to school, pay staggering debts, build a house, or send money to let somebody in the family be treated to a lingering illness just because the Philippines cannot provide the needed financial expenses to cope with a demanding consumerist world.

This of course is a rehashed sentiment yet; the plight of migrant workers needs to be given attention, with different and separate individual victims succumbing to unfair labor practices, if not plainly exploitative and cruel conditions.

While some are lucky enough to build their homes, establish their families in other countries and live comfortably enough just like other citizens in that country where they migrated, the rest of the millions of overseas migrant Filipino workers are not that lucky enough.

Contracts are either treated as a piece of paper fit for the garbage can where salaries are not given as stated in contracts for one. Just ask any domestic helper or factory worker who feels aggrieved and she will tell you her or his story.

Some are made to sleep in the bathroom, as I heard from a friend of one whose relative is in Taiwan working as a domestic helper. Add to psychological distress of being away from their own families and you will find one lonely, poor, unfortunate soul vulnerable to exploitation. In this condition, the OFW needs all the support that immediate Filipinos or townmates who are in the same country can do for the worker while in a strange place.

It is a relief that Igorot communities have their own associations in these foreign countries where they work and thus be able to extend help and support where necessary to one and another.

The movement of Filipinos and Cordillerans abroad especially the Ifugao community in Canada collectively condoled with the family of the victim and supported the remains of Jocelyn back in her home in Ifugao.

While we have our Filipino and Igorot organizational bonding where migrant workers get mutual help and support for each other though, the Philippine Consulate and Embassy which is found in almost all parts of the world stands also as closest official Philippine institution where the migrant worker can seek help in times of trouble.

It is in this context that the Philippine consulate and embassy based in Toronto, Canada needs to closely monitor the investigation of the murder of Jocelyn until the criminal suspects are charged and sentenced accordingly.

The Philippine government is receiving millions of remittances from Filipino OFWs to help keep the struggling economy stable. Philippine embassies therefore at the same time have to be alert and conscious of providing support to Filipino migrant workers who are giving great contribution in making the country not further slide down to a poor impoverished state and be eaten up by a political and economic order called globalization.

With some eight million OFWs in countries including Hongkong, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Europe, USA, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, UK, they remit some $12 billion a year back home which keeps Philippine economy buoyed up. These “overseas Filipino investors” as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo calls them needs all the government’s support and attention to problems where OFWs find themselves in.

The same treatment should also be accorded by OWWA and not harp on whether Jocelyn was registered or not otherwise such response would be the worst irresponsible act so far of a public agency. That is, one way where OWWA can help is support speedy investigation in the murder of the unfortunate victim.

Same is true for the Philippine government headed by President Arroyo to urge speedy resolution of the case and bring the suspects to be tried and sentenced accordingly. In this manner, OFWs will feel supported by a Philippine government where millions of their remittances are significantly helpful to buoy the economy.

With laws and policies are in place in national and international context to support migrant workers such as the Migrant Workers’ Act and other officials' pronouncements, surely, these laws and pronouncements just need internalization by government officers and officials to find realistic operation and bring responsive and substantial response in the plight of OFWs.

While investigation is underway, let it not be a forgotten case and efforts be done to keep this case as closely monitored as possible in order to let justice prevail for Jocelyn and the rest of OFWs.

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