PNoy’s report mere bites on CAR

By ADELA DEYAEN WAYAS
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — During his 100 days report last October 7, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino seemed aware of the ongoing issues in the region. But realities on the ground point that PNoy’s programs for the Cordillerans is mere talk.

Various sectors and students joined the live coverage and video-conference participation of people from the city in the President’s 100-day report. The citizens gathered at the Philippine Information Agency’s Dap-ay to listen to the President’s speech and to ask questions in the open forum.

Alex Bangsoy, the regional desk officer of the Yellow Force and Tuloy Pinoy in CAR, asked the President what his short term and long term plans to alleviate poverty in the region inspite of the rich natural resources exploited in the region.

Bangsoy, as one of the President’s supporter, said that he was satisfied with the answers of the President. PNoy admitted that indeed the region has contributed a lot to the power generation of the country specifically Luzon and said that whatever gains the region gets should benefit its people through good services.

On mining, the President said that the community has the right to allow or reject mining in the region. “Komunidad ang nagdidikta,” he said. “Kayo dapat ang makilahok, kayo dapat ang mapakinggan ang boses tungo sa pag-exploit natin ng inyong mineral resources,” he added.

However, PNoy’s pronouncements fall as mere sound bites on the region. Mining is allowed by the national government even as the people condemn it as a destructive operation and life threatening to their natural resources.

Mining applications by foreign and big mining companies are approved even if the affected people protest the entry. Even the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process is disregarded by government agencies tasked to implement it.

Earlier, Ifugao representative and chair of Congress’ National Commission on Culture Teddy Baguilat Jr called for a moratorium on mining to review the policies of the government that concerns and contradicts the rights of the indigenous peoples in the Cordillera. Baguilat mentioned that the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) should be reviewed to serve its real purpose and ensure consultations at all levels from the barangays to the region so the people would understand autonomy.

With regards to the issue of regional autonomy, the President said that the government is just following the decision of the people. “Kung yan ang hangarin ninyo, ang lahat ng sektor sa dayalogo ay magkakaroon ng bahagi sa pamamahala sa concerns natin sa Cordillera,” he answered.

However Abigail Anongos, Cordillera Peoples Alliance secretary general, said that the process of the ongoing draft of the 3rd Organic Act is highly questionable. “Traditional politicians ang nangunguna na naman,” she said.

“The Cordillera people should be given the great role in this, kasi sa kanila naman manggagaling ang tunay na autonomy dapat, ”she said. She added that the process should start from the people going up and not starting from the top going to the bottom. # nordis.net