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3rd Mt. Province farmer’s alliance congress held

BAUKO, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE (Dec. 5) — At least 300 peasants from the different municipalities of Mountain Province gathered in Letang, Tapapan, Bauko, Mt. Province for the 3rd provincial congress of APIT-Mon (Alyansa Dagiti Pesante Ti Montanyosa). The congress was held last. November 26-27, 2005, a week after the launching of MAITUD.

The activity was hosted by Letang Community Farmers Association (LECFA) and the Barangay Officials of Tapapan under the leadership of Hon. Allan Radion. LECFA is a peasant organization in sitio Letang, Tapapan, Bauko who constructed and doing the maintenance of the road going to Letang.

APIT-Montanyosa is an alliance of 32 peasant organizations in the province united to pursue the struggle for the defense of Land and resources, food security and respect of Human Rights including political and economic rights. The alliance remains active in the campaign against Lepanto expansion, entry of large mines in the province and campaign against GATT-WTO.

The theme of the congress is “Patibkeren ken ikonsolida ti bileg pesante!! Sangoen ti kumarkaru a krisis”. The chronic economic crisis coupled with the fascist GMA administration requires a more consolidated action of the peasants.

Program for the two-day activity included discussion of the national, regional and provincial peasant situation. Small-scale mining orientation, 3 years executive committee report, two years programming, review and amendments of the constitution and election of officers.

Mr.Fernando Mangili, Sec. Gen of Apit-tako emphasized on the basis for the ouster of the president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They were further concretized when the provincial agricultural situation was presented. One speaker reminded the delegates that aside from ousting the president it is also a task of the peasants to change the political, economic and socio-cultural system.

While it is a peasant congress, gays who attended the activity had a separate workshop and came up with a unity to form an organization for gays and lesbians. Representatives of Innabuyog and Anakbayan facilitated the workshop.

To ensure the functioning of the alliance 5 members of the Executive committee and 13 council members were elected while 1 Executive Committee was appointed. Elected as members of the Exe Com are Abe Battawang, chairperson; Alpine Atiwag,vice chairperson; Marcelo “Dimas” Daweg, Secretary General; John “Tanglaw” Lipato, treasurer; and Erecio “Asiong” Latogan, auditor. As provided for in the Constitution and By Laws of the alliance the Secretary General is responsible in appointing the Deputy Secretary General. Lily Faycho was appointed as the Deputy Secretary and a member of the Exe Com. # via NORDIS

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