By
Marlo T. Lubguban
The Mountain Province
State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) and National Economic Development
Authority-Cordillera conducted another provincial consultation for mapping and
marking of historical sites in the Cordillera.
The mapping
and marking of Cordillera historical sites is a joint project of MPSPC and
NEDA-CAR as part of the Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region
(SPCAR) program.
One of the
purposes of the SPCAR program is to enhance regional identity of Cordillerans.
One of the
ways of doing this is to create markers for sites in which the pursuit for
self-determination was exhibited.
In Ifugao,
the Ifugao State University hosted the 5th provincial consultation for
Ifugao on Oct. 15 as part of their week-long 98thfounding anniversary celebrations.
Ifugao elders
from the academe, local government units and tourism offices all provided their
inputs on sites that they deemed worthy to be mapped and marked as part of the
region’s history of self-determination and autonomy.
Considered as
Ifugao heritage, the participants of the workshop agreed to map several
clusters of rice terraces in the province: The Nagacadan Terrace cluster in the
municipality of Kiangan, the Hungduan terrace cluster, the central Mayoyao
terrace cluster, and the Bangaan terrace cluster and the Batad terrace cluster
both in the municipality of Banaue.
Also included
is the rice terrace cluster in Barangay Burnay in Lagawe claimed to be
carbon-dated as far back as the 6th century AD.
Participants
also recognized the Ifugao peoples’ bravery and patriotism and decided to map
two sites that demonstrated this: The Awa Victory site in Julongan; and the
famous Yamashita 1945 Surrender site in Kiangan. The participants also agreed
to include Julongan in Kiangan it being the site of the 1897 Ifugao victory
against the Spanish government that set up a command center in Kiangan in 1896.
Both sites are already recognized by National Commission for Culture and the
Arts.
It was also
acknowledged that Ifugao played a role in the pursuit for Cordillera autonomy.
Hapao, Hungduan was considered an important site signifying autonomy struggle
in the province. Lagawe, as the capital town of Ifugao, was also cited with
Ifugao as the sole province that voted ‘yes’ to autonomy in the first
plebiscite.
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One participant added,
“These are tangible structures that could educate our
youth and urge them to read further about the struggle.” In Baguio City,
Benguet elders from the academe, local government units, civil society
organizations, tourism groups, and regional line agencies gathered in Baguio
for the final provincial consultation on mapping and marking of historical
sites in the Cordillera on Oct. 23.
The event was coordinated by the MPSPSC and NEDA-CAR
This was the last leg of provincial consultations before
the regional workshop in Baguio in November to finalize the list of sites
where the markers will be placed.
UP Baguio Dean of the College of Arts and
Communications Dr. Jimmy Fong presented a lecture on the local history of
Benguet. Citing the 1987 Constitution as the primary basis in selecting the
sites, Professor Fong emphasized that sites should exhibit the distinct
historical and cultural heritage that portrays self-determination and the
autonomy struggle.
The Benguet folk were quick to list sites that showcase
the history of self-determination of the province.
Sites that exemplified self-determination include the
Battle of Tunglo in southern Benguet and the site of the Spanish Garrison in
Puguis, La Trinidad. Accordingly, it is at these sites where Ibaloi warriors
resisted early Spanish rule and prevented further influence in the
Cordillera. However, the exact location of the Battle of Tunglo cannot
exactly be identified. Elders approximate it to be somewhere in Crystal Cave
going to Tuba, Benguet.
The Binga and Ambuklao Dam sites were also among the
favorites for mapping and marking; a reminder of the lack of free prior and
informed consent done by the national government in implementing these
projects in the past. The construction of these dams were also the basis of
the outrage over the Chico River dam project of the 70s.
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The most
notable site is Camp John Hay as part of the property of Mateo Cariño. Mateo
Cariño’s case was not just the basis of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act, “it
was the first legal win of Indigenous Peoples, not just in the Philippines but
all over the world, especially in recognition of ancestral land ownership”,
according to Atty. Harriet Abyadang of NCIP Benguet.
These sites,
including those listed in other provinces will be presented during the regional
workshop which will be held November in Baguio
These sites, including
those listed in other provinces will be presented during the regional workshop
which will be held November in Baguio.
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