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Cha-Cha detrimental to IPs, peasant

Cha-Cha is GMA’s saving grace

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 27) — Militant organizations in the Cordillera claimed during a press briefing on January 26 here that the charter change being pushed by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) would result to the loss of ancestral lands and livelihood of peasant farmers and indigenous peoples (IP) in the region.

According to Fernando Mangili of the Alyansa dagiti Pesante ti Taeng Kordilyera (Apit Tako), the proposed changes in the 1987 Constitution is geared toward allowing foreign 100% ownership of the country’s natural resources. He said that in the proposed new version of the constitution, agricultural and industrial lands would be open for foreign and domestic ownership.

Mangili further said that at present 70% or seven out of 10 farmers in the country do not own the land they till. If the charter change succeeds then landlessness among peasant farmers would worsen; because they cannot compete with foreign capital.

“The sell-out of national patrimony is actually happening through the mining explorations ushered in by GMA’s revitalized mining policies and the Mining Act of 1995 but the protective provisions in the present constitution is an impediment to full blast effects of such laws and policies,” Mangili stressed.

Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) Secretary General Emi Carreon said that IPs all over the country especially in the Cordilleras, which is considered as one of the country’s top resource bases would lose their ancestral lands and resources to foreign owned corporations once the proposed cha-cha succeeds.

Carreon added that foreign mining companies would feast over the country’s rich mineral reserves, and if this happens IPs would become squatters in their own land. She said that at present, despite the protective provisions of the constitution and strong opposition from affected communities, foreign companies still manage to apply for mining explorations.

Cha-cha GMA’s saving grace

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna National Vice-chairperson Manny Loste stressed that the cha-cha is GMA’s diversionary tactic to prolong her stay in power. He said the renewed call for cha-cha came to picture when the people clamor for GMA’s resignation.

“It (cha-cha) is clearly a move to save GMA from the growing question on her legitimacy as president,” Loste said.

Loste further questioned the rounds of provincial consultations the GMA camp has been conducting, saying that these were deceptive. He explained that the consultations were focused of the change in the form of government (from presidential to parliamentary) and the proposed amendments were not presented.

“They intentionally withheld the information on the proposed amendments because they know that it would stir wide opposition,” Loste added.

Furthermore, Chie Galvez of the Tongtongan ti Umili (TTU) stressed that cha-cha is not the answer to the present political and economic problem of the country. She said that in fact it would only worsen the present crisis.

“The problem is not the constitution. The real problem is GMA’s continued stay in Malacañang,” Galvez declared.

However, Galvez clarified that they are not defending the constitution. She explained that the present constitution has its flaws, but there are provisions that the people still fall back on. These are the same provisions that the GMA administration wants removed. # Kimberlie Olmaya Ngabit-Quitasol for NORDIS

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