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7th Anakbayan-Mt. Province congress held

BAUKO, Mt. Province (Nov. 16) — Over 200 youth delegates from different municipalities here attended the Mt. Province Youth Association (MPYA)-Anakbayan’s 7th Provincial Congress last November 6 and 7 at the Banao National High School.

Educational discussions on the Cordillera, the national situation and the youth’s role in making a different future were discussed.

In a message by former Sagada Mayor Tom Killip, he said that true democracy has not yet been attained in the region and in the national scene because only a few control the economic and political power of the government. He said that in the Philippines, many of the big companies are owned by foreign capitalists and thru their local partners, they create laws which only serve their interests and oppress the Filipino people even more.

Killip also said that under the present government, freedom of expression is very limited especially in decision making..

He cited as a contrast the traditional way of decision making particularly in the Cordillera community wherein during a general assembly or meeting, many can freely express their ideas and thoughts about an issue. “Mabigbig idi ti karbengan dagiti lallakay ken tattao ket uray nu haan da nga nakaadal, ti paglintegan nga araramiden da ke t agserbi kadagiti kaadwan,” Killip said.

At the end, Killip encouraged every youth to participate in situational analysis and contribute to the solution of the real problems in Philippine society.

During the congress, workshops were also given to the high school, college students and out of school youths for them to asses their common problems.

According to Elvie Tulingan, incumbent MPYA chairperson, the problems presented by the students are connected to the budget cut of state universities. Due to this, Tulingan said tuition fees are too high and other additional fees are being collected. Also, the students raised problems due to unfavorable student-teacher relationship.

Tulingan added that government’s social services are very poor. “Rent is too high and employment opportunity is very limited, she said.

In conclusion, Roland Poor, the new MPYA chairperson, said that all the problems being raised by the youth are somehow connected to the “three basic problems of Philippine society— imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism.

According to Poor, one of the particular tasks that the organization will tackle is a resolution for a tuition fee subsidy.

Poor said that thru the youth’s unity and support, such problems would slowly be resolved. He further said that in the next years to come, MPYA-Anakbayan will continue to hold on the principle of serving the interest of the masses. # Zenaida T. Kezoven for NORDIS

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