Mapagpalayang kaisipan sa malayang pahayagan OKTUBRE-DISYEMBRE 2015
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Little Game of Darts
Philippines as target and APEC as pretense of inclusive growth SAMUEL HARRISON CERRUDO
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hile APEC 2015 was concluded without any complications, the summit was not able to address issues and became ambiguous as an influence in change as it mantled the state’s real stand as Asia’s “Rising Tiger”. With 21 economies visiting the Philippines for the summit, the government decided to allocate 10 billion pesos in the preparations for November 19 and 20. As Director General Marciano Paynor, Jr. said, head of the organizing council of APEC, this allocation is given as part of the investment of the country and also due to being part of the said forum. Inception of Deception Being the selected host for APEC in the year 2015, the government has made sloppy decisions in preparing for the event. Like the APEC that was hosted in 1996, the event was utilized to “flaunt” investment potential to areas like Manila. 10 billion were spent mainly for the 1-week event only. The organizers also pointed out that the spending is justified for the event will bring good for Filipinos – particularly bringing investors to the country. A prominent allocation of the 10 billion pesos is the renovation of NAIA Terminal 1. The terminal was to be used by the leaders in entering the Philippines. Being dubbed as the “worst airport in the world” and with the late issue of “Laglag Bala” occurring in the terminal, the security of the terminal was strengthened and international flights were relocated in terminals 2 and 3 – all in favor of the arrival of the leaders To make the Philippines “presentable” to the visitor’s eyes, to be continued on page 3
graphics by WILLIAM LAURETA
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From South to North, Manilakbayan brings issues and concerns of Mindanao FRANCIS BAUTISTA
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bout 700 Lumad residents and people from Mindanao gathered as they march their way to Manila to protest militarization and large- scale mining on their ancestral lands last October 25 to November 22, 2015. Manilakbayan (Journey to Manila), was led by Lumad residents along with various progressive organizations with a purpose of ending militarization and large- scale mining, demanding justice to victims of human rights violation, and resisting the attacks of militarization to their schools, their communities, and their people. Voices of the Oppressed Cristina Lantao, Secretary General of the Federation of Lumad Women in Mindanao, stressed that the situation in their land have worsen. She said that there are already numerous cases of property destruction like schools, clinics, and farms brought by militarization. This then have resulted in the disruption of the lifestyle of the residents of
the community. According to them, there are already 95 cases of attacks on their schools, including Lumad schools. Added to that is the harassment to the students and teachers.
Majority of their residential areas have served as military encampments leaving the almost 40,000 Lumad residents of Mindanao forced to evacuate. The participants of the
movement believes that the militarization is just a tool to protect the operations by the mining companies in their areas. The Truth Behind Participants of Manilak-
JUSTICE STILL DEMANDED . In line with the Int’l Human Rights Day last December 10, Cordillera Human Rights Alliance, along with various people’s organizations held a protest march and a program at Igorot Garden to call for justice as the human rights situation of the Philippines worsens under the Aquino regime. photo by PAUL SORIANO
bayan mentioned that the government’s Oplan Bayanihan, a counter insurgency program made by military forces in their communities have resulted in numerous cases of human rights violation like extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances on which they themselves are the primary victims. According to KARAPATAN’s records, 234 extrajudicial killings recorded as of September 30, 2015, 133 are from Mindanao, in which most are Lumads. Also, large- scale mining have threatened the lives of the people based on the participants of the movement. Based on the August 2014 records of Mines and Geosciences Bureau, of the 117 approved mining sites in Mindanao, 50% of these tenements are covered by the ancestral lands of the indigenous communities. Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP) said that there can be 100, 000 people in Mindanao who are in danger of losing their lands, homes, and livelihoods due to large- scale mining in Mindanao.
Freshmen dissatisfied with F-Night ZOE RAMORES
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Kaliwang Sulok: SORRY kuha ni ZOE RAMORES
ccording to Abdiel ‘Dodot’ Orbon, the University Student Council (USC) Freshmmen Desk Head, preparations for the Freshie Night started right after the Consolidation Night last October 9. The event was set to happen two weeks after but the Baguio Convention Center has already been reserved for the whole month of October. The USC considered to hold it in other venues such as Teacher’s Camp and Camp John Hay, but luckily, the Baguio Convention Center became available on October 30. With the probability that there would be no succeeding Freshie Nights after this year’s event due to the expected decrease in the number of students, the USC had to ensure that this Freshie Night was set to be one of the most remarkable events to happen in the university. This year, they had gotten major sponsors like Globe and
Tender Juicy, unlike the past years where the sponsors usually came from organizations, fraternities and sororities inside the university. Unfortunately, the weekend before the Freshie Night, Typhoon Lando struck the city of Baguio causing the major sponsors to back out to offer help to those who were devastated by the typhoon. Dodot Orbon, however, said that more than 50 percent of the first years attended the event despite the typhoon. He also added that aside from the attendance, the USC’s expectations on the time and the program sequence were met. On the contrary, there were students, especially freshmen
who were dissatisfied with how the event turned out. A large number were disappointed with the small number of people who attended despite being told that the freshman population increased this year. In addition to this, the program was said to have started an hour after the scheduled time. Different blocs also experienced a lot of technical difficulties during their performances which according to onebloc representative, made it harder for them to execute it. This is not an exception to performing organizations who said that their pieces “got mixed up.”
CALLING FOR ENTRIES We are gathering short stories, poems, photos, and graphics for the upcoming Balintuna, our literary folio, entitled Limbo. For details, contact 0926 320 9080 (Ellaine) or 0936 927 1767 (Leah).
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APEC to be launching pad: PH should thwart TPP bandwagon IBON FOUNDATION
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esearch group IBON warned that the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting will most certainly be used to campaign for a powerful Pacific multilateral trade deal led by the United States. But by now the Philippines and other Asia Pacific countries should be aware of its dire implications and resist the Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) agreement, the group said. The TPP agreement, which according to US president Barack Obama will instill a US-led system of trade and investment in the region, has recently been inked by twelve nations. Current members Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam account for at least 40% of global GDP and 33% of global trade. While its details are yet to be publi-
Little Game of Darts: Philippines as target and APEC as pretense of inclusive growth from page 1 another part of the allocation has been used in making sure that the reception of the leaders will be “in style”. Five-star hotels and transportation services were made available to them. The leaders’ traditional clothes were also provided by the government. Meanwhile, another part used in “rehabilitation” of some areas. Relocations of informal settlers and censorship of rural areas were implemented throughout NCR to lessen the population and to “clean” Metro Manila. Diversion of Subversions Behind APEC and the participation of leaders is the international relationships of Philippines. Since APEC is the bridge for trade relations and strengthening of nations, communication and interaction should exist between leaders.
The summit was held even though there are territorial disputes between China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines. Because of this, the islands of the West Philippine Sea were not discussed during APEC – leaving the issue floating to avoid conflicts in “trade relations”. Economies that participated in APEC 2015 were able to contribute help to the Philippines. Prominent contributions were military strength and alliances between nations – further implementing APEC’s claim of “inclusive growth”. It is a fact that trade relations are strengthened between our leaders and theirs. But for the Aquino administration, APEC is an opportunity for them to showcase “rising to be continued on page 6
cized, reports are that the TPP is expected to eliminate tariffs further on thousands of goods and services and impose stricter rules on intellectual property rights as well as the supremacy of investor over state interest. Despite the deal’s anticipated unprecedented infringement on countries’ economic independence, the Philippine trade department has begun preliminary consultations towards formal discussions for its own membership in the TPP. However, joining the TPP bandwagon will only aggravate the country’s shrinking production, IBON said. The group pointed out that even without the TPP, the Philippines’ steady implementation of APEC-prompted trade liberalization pushed tariff levels down, eroding food self-sufficiency and overall domestic production. By 2012, to be continued on page 6
photo by LEAH PEREZ
RHLC Pushes Casino despite rejects KIRK MARTINEZ AND JOSEPH PEREZ
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midst all the countermeasures of the city government of Baguio and its residents, the request of the Royal Highland Leisure Company (RHLC) to construct a casino in Camp John Hay (CJH) still continues.
LIVING OUR CULTURE. PAGTA in cooperation with regional organizations SUBOL, NAMNAMA, and LAKAN spearheaded the closing celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Month 2015, last November 6. photo by QUIMBERLYN RANCHEZ
NOT JUST PROPOSALS. Bayan Muna representative Neri Colmenares tells his platforms and ongoing projects at El Cielito Inn last December 5, 2015.
13 years after the 1990 earthquake that caused the destruction of the only permitted casino in Hyatt Hotel, the RHLC passed a request to the city government of Baguio to build a casino in the City of Pines. In 2004, former City Mayor Bernardo Vergara has decided to stop the process of the said request to build a casino inside Camp John Hay. The Catholic Church, even before the passing of the request, has been an advocate of the Anti-Gambling movement here in Baguio. This institution conducts most of the movements against these illegal acts and is mostly vocal about its opposition to gambling in the Cordillera region. About a year ago, Baguio Apostolic Vicar Bishop Carlito Cenzon, along with Fr. Andy Cosalan and Ptr. Simplicio Dangawan of United Church of Christ in the Philippines, led the Metro Baguio Multi-Sectoral Movement in opposition to the building of the said casino. Moreover, the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) rejected the notion of having a casino inside its premises. Reports say that Leandro Yangot, JHMC board member, stated that the management invoked Res-
olution No. 362-1994, which states the privatization of CJH. According to an article by Harley Palangchao in Baguio Midland Courier, President Aquino used the second condition of the same resolution, wherein the city of Baguio should be a wholesome, family-oriented entertainment and recreational zone. “We will not allow casino inside Camp John Hay if that’s the sentiment of the people,” President Aquino also said. As of the date, the matter is still not settled, though movements against this project still continue. JHMC hopes this problem will be solved while searching for possible projects that abide with the rules and laws of the city.
Oo, filler ako. Alam kong may reklamo ka sa space na ‘to at nagleley-awt ka. Tara, awtkrap!
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Blank Lot “Murder is the highest form of these crimes but all attacks targeting journalists that remain unpunished must be denounced. There can be no press freedom where journalists work in fear,” - International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Look at that face, You look like my next mistake Killing is a game, wanna play? November 2 marks the International Day to end the impunity for crimes against journalists. The commemoration of which will continue until November 23. However, despite this awareness spread for all of them who now lay after their notebooks and pens, the number of them being written inside the death note of those still ran away from justice doesn’t seem to stop as of the date. It has been five years since that traumatic murdering of 32 journalists and media workers in Maguindanao. Up to now the Maguindanao massacre is still considered to be
the deadliest event wherein impunity proved its unwavering presence in the country even though a lot of presidents swore to make a stop to this. Years have passed and justice is still too far of reach. Justice is still on its way for them, got stuck somewhere between those who have tons of money, suit and tie, they can even be put in the magazine. Justice has been travelling for a long time now which caused more lives to be stolen from Media workers who are braver than others. According to earlier reports in CNN, one journalist is killed every week around the world and our dear country, Philippines is one of the four countries who has the highest rate of death of Journalists. Under the late Corazon Aquino, there are 21 number of Media Murders, 11 with Fidel Ramos, 6 with Joseph Ejercito Estrada, 48 under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 55 for Benigno Aquino III’s term. Moreover, our country has the highest percentage of impunity
out of the 59 countries included in the first World Impunity analyzed and compiled by the Impunity and Justice Research Center of the Universidad de las Americas, a private university in Puebla, Mexico. The long process of serving justice in our country has seemed to let the Philippines become a haven for wrongdoers. It’s like giving them the free pass and allowing them to be free to roam and hover around
Years have passed and justice is still too far of reach.
the country seeking the ruins of journalists who are blocking their ways. It’s hearing them sing as they write another name of the servant of truth inside their Death note, “I’m dying to see how this will end, grab your notebooks and your pens, I’ll make the journalists disappear in a weekend.” It’s saddening that they say that pen is mightier than the sword, but as of now, it’s as if our government is questioning that saying, it’s as if telling us that pen must always go with a gun in hand. A gun for protection. More like saying, that the law isn’t enough to protect them, they shall need a gun for another gun that might be pointed towards them anytime of the day. Perhaps it all boils down to their favorite song of Taylor Swift— blank space with the lyrics, ‘cause we’re rich and we care less, we’ll take this way too far, we will leave you breathless and with nasty scars, got a long list of my haters, they’ll tell you I’m insane, But i own a blank lot baby, and i’ll bury you there.
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Opisyal na Pahayagan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas-Baguio
Punong Patnugot Leah Perez Kawaksing Patnugot Ellainemor San Pascual Tagapamahalang Patnugot Divine Loraine Penaflor Patnugot sa Balita Angela Valerio Patnugot sa Kultura Danna Llaine Ruiz Kawani Samuel Harrison Cerrudo John Rey Dave Aquino Panghaliling Kawani Paul Nicholas Soriano Quimberlyn Ranchez William Laureta
Miyembro ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) at Solidaridad, Alyansa ng mga Pahayagang Pangkampus sa UP
upboutcrop@gmail.com Facebookpage: UP Baguio OutcroP Unang Palapag ng Alumni Center Building, UP Baguio, Gov. Pack Road
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UP BAGUIO OUTCROP TOMO 42 ISYU 2 OKTUBRE-DISYEMBRE 2015
Kinabukasan sa malalim na hukay PAUL NICHOLAS SORIANO Tanaw ko ang tila pagdidikit ng langit at lupa Ng bundok at ng mga ulap At ako’y nasa gitna Sakay sa ibabaw ng isang umaandar na behikulo Ni hindi ako makasulat Pilit na inimbak ang mga salita hanggang sa ngayon Na makahawak na ako ng panulat at papel
Maya-maya pa’y unti-unti ko nang nasilayan Isang paraisong sapilitang binabawian ng mga kulay Mga bundok na tila pinatag ng kasakiman Makuha lamang ang mga kayamanan nito Mula sa magaang pagsilay sa kalikasang may mangilan-ngilan lamang na kabahayan habang nasa byahe, napunan ng bigat ang aking nararamdaman nang makita ko ang mga bundok, na bukod sa nawawalan na ng korte ay literal din na wala ng kulay—tila mga abong galing sa isang malakihang pagsunog. Dulot daw ito ng pagpapasabog sa mga bundok bilang pangunahing hakbang ng open pit mining ng Oceana Gold Corporation. Tumambad din sa amin ang barikadang ginawa ng Oceana Gold Co. upang bakuran yaong mga parte na kanilang pagmiminahan. Bente kwatro oras na walang tigil ang kanilang operasyon. Sa katunayan, tunnelling method na ang kasalukuyan nilang ginagamit, na malinaw na mapanganib dahil binubutas ang lupa para mas madaling makuha ang mga deposito nito. At gayundin, pagpapasabog pa rin ang inisyal na hakbang sa prosesong ito. Sa mas positibong banda, masaya
naman kaming sinalubong at pinakain ng mga mamamayan pagdating namin doon. Partikular na ng mga miyembro ng Samahang Pangkarapatan ng Katutubong Magsasaka at Manggagawa Inc. (SAPAKKMMI) na pangunahing tumututol sa Oceana Gold Co. Matapos kumain, agad kaming isinama ng Chairman na si Kuya Arthur na ikutin ang mining area. Sakay ng kanyang van, isa-isa niyang itinuro sa amin ang karima-rimarim na mga epekto ng pagmimina sa lugar. Pinakita niya sa amin ang mga natutuyong puno’t mga halaman, at mga ilog na hindi na raw nila mapangisdaan dahil sa kontaminasyon ng putik at kemikal. “Piktyuran na ninyo ‘yang mga bundok. Baka sa pagbalik niyo, bato na lang din yan.” Mahirap limutin itong sinabi sa amin ni Kuya Arthur. Isang pahayag na masasabing simple, ngunit dama ko sa kanyang boses ang lungkot, takot, panghihinayang, at malaking sentimyento ukol sa kinahaharap na isyu ng large scale mining sa lugar. Ilang beses niyang inihinto ang sasakyan upang mas makita namin ang bawat kalagayan. Isang beses ng paghinto, ay itinuro niya sa amin ang dating kinatitirikan ng kanyang bahay na pinatanggal umano ng korporasyon dahil maaapektuhan ng mining site. “Sandali lang akong nagbakasyon, pagbalik ko, wala na ‘yung bahay ko.” “E magkano naman pong binigay sa inyo bilang kapalit?” tanong ko. Nakalulungkot nang sinabi niyang wala raw. Hindi naman daw kasi lahat nabibigyan ng tamang disturbance at compensation fees. Kung mayroon man, pili lang at hindi pa buo. Habang papalayo ang nararating namin ay tila siya ring paglayo ng inaasahan kong abot-kamay na masasayang karanasan. Gayundin ang pagigting ng mga naghahalong emosyon ng galit, pagkaawa at lungkot lalo na nang muling huminto si Kuya Arthur. Nakita namin ang isang malaking bundok ng mga bato at purong mga bato. Sa tabi nito ay nakita namin ang parehong itsura ng bundok ngunit may nakatapal nang manipis na lupa. Paglingon namin sa iba pang bahagi ay
mayroon na rin nakalatag na net. Sa net daw na ito pagagapangin ang isang uri ng halaman para muling magmukang natural ang bundok. Nagpatuloy ang pakikipagkwentuhan namin kay Kuya Arthur. Doon, may paghihimutok nilang ibinahagi sa amin ang isang pangyayari kung saan naglabas ang Oceana Gold Co. ng isang-pahinang pahayag na nagsasabing pinapaunlad nila ang Didipio. Nakapagpatayo raw umano ang korporasyon ng health center, high school buildings, barangay hall, at road reconstructions. Wala kaming nakita ni-isa sa mga iyon. Maging ang mga daan ay hindi naisasaayos kung kaya may mga naitalang kaso rin ng vehicular accidents dahil sa pagpapalit-palit ng mga ruta. Tuluyan nang napalitan ng pagkadismaya ang kasabikan kong marating ang lugar na ito. Hindi yata maganda ang pagdidikit ng langit at lupa O sadyang lubos lang na nanganganib itong kalupaan Sa kamay ng mga naglalangit-langitan? Hanggang 2030 pa raw ang kontrata ng Oceana Gold Co. sa Didipio. Pero sa kasalukuyan, sabay sa pagsasagawa ng mga anti-mining campaigns sa lugar ay siya ring muling pag-apila ng korporasyon para sa renewal ng kontrata. Hindi ito ang langit na inaasahan ko. Sa halip, mas nangingibabaw sa isip ko ang imahe ng isang malaking hukay kung saan unti-unting ibinabaon ang pagasa at magandang kinabukasan ng Didipio. Nakalulungkot. Nakagagalit. Ngunit higit pa roon, para sa akin, ito ay isang malaking panawagan. Hindi dapat na hayaang mapunta ang kayamanan natin sa kamay ng mga naglalangit-langitan— mga taong masayang nahihiga sa pera at gintong hindi dapat na mapunta sa kanila.
iginuhit ni LEAH PEREZ
Inasahan na naming mangyayari ito. Ang paglalakbay sa ilalim ng tirik na araw, ang pakikipagsiksikan sa loob ng mga sasakyang tila deka-dekada nang bumabiyahe sa kalumaan, at ang marami pang mga bagay na labas sa aming mga karanasan bilang mga kabataang sabihin na nating may maluwag na pamumuhay kumpara sa karaniwang masa. Hindi na ako nagkasya sa huling van na sinakyan namin patungong Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya. Kaya naman sa ibabaw na lang ako pumwesto. Kasabay ng pagtitig at pagtanaw ko sa kapaligirang unti-unti nang hinuhubog ng modernisasyon, ay ang paglalaro ng iba’t ibang palaisipan sa aking balintataw tungkol sa lugar na aming pupuntahan. Dala na rin siguro ng mga kwento sa amin ng aming guide mula sa Amianan Salakniban-Kordilyera na si Kuya Ampi, tungkol sa lumalalang komersyalisasyon sa Didipio. Pilit daw na ipinagdidiinan ng korporasyong ito na sila ang susi sa kaunlaran ng Didipio. Sa isip-isip ko, isang pribilehiyo nga ang pagpunta ko roon nang sa ganoon ang mga palaisipang ito’y magkaroon ng linaw mula sa karana-
san. Karanasang magmumula mismo sa pakikisalamuha sa mga mamamayan na sya namang magbibigay sa akin ng kongkretong mga pananaw. Sa kabila nito, tanaw ko rin ang higit na mga positibong mangyayari. Ang masayang pakikipagtrabaho sa aking mga kasama, ang kasiyahan nang may panibagong karanasang makukuha, at higit sa lahat ang di mababayarang panahon ng pakikisalamuha sa mga mamamayan doon.
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Little Game of Darts: Philippines as a target and APEC as a pretense of inclusive growth from page 3 GDPs and improving industries” of the country. This is why APEC was only able to cater surface level issues. With the relocations and rehabilitations and receiving incentives such as “two ships”, “strengthening of military strength” and “eradication of drugs in the nation”, it is clear that APEC meetings did not touch the true state of the nation and brought different objectives than what was presented in Philippine media.
Alingawngaw 1. Tuwing Oktubre, idinadaos natin ang Indigenous Peoples Month. Ngunit nitong mga nakaraang taon ay maraming insidente ang naganap kung saan karamihan sa mga biktima ay mga IP. Halimbawa nito ang militarisasyon sa kanilang lugar at nito lamang nakaraang buwan ay ang pagpatay sa mga Lumad ng Mindanao. Sa iyong palagay, sapat ba ang ginagawa ng gobyerno para protektahan at pangalagaan ang ating mga kapatid na IP? Parang pag-ibig lang yan. Akala mo sapat na, yun pala kulang pa -Polgas Siyempre hindi. Kelan mo aalagaan at proprotektahan? Kapag wala na? -Bruno Hindi, kasi mas idol nila ang military – PONDO PA MORE! -Bonne 2. Nagbabalak na magtayo ng casino sa Camp John Hay. Dahil dito, maraming grupo, na pinangungunahan ng mga religious groups, ang nagsasagawa ng signature campaign para tutulan ang pagtatayo nito. Kamakailan lamang ay pinaimbestigahan na ni PNoy sa PAGCOR ang naturang isyu. Ano ang masasabi mo rito? Maganda sana na magpapatayo sila ng mga estruktura para umunlad ang baguio, kaso bakit casino? Pwede naman silang magpatayo ng mas kapaki-pakinabang di ba? -2015–11895 This aint Las Vegas b*tches -Yukine Hindi naman mapipigilan yan e. kikita sila e (gobyerno). Ganyan ang politics. -concerned citizen 3. Sa tingin mo, ano ang mga sangkap sa pagluluto ng Cheerdance Competition at basketball game sa FIBA? Mantika, sibuyas, murang malutong LPG, kalan, intsik at referee -Ehehehe A little bit of money and connections of Henry Sy to make a gourmet CDC -Awtsu beh >/3 Referee, coach, players @ pagmamahal -Kilala mo na ako 2 eggs, 1 cup flour, sugar, spice, everything nice, chemical X, Cancer -Kier
Conclusion of Abrogation 10 billion pesos in preparations, 1 week of work and pay, right of way in main roads, travel opportunities, “censorship” of poverty – these were the things offered in expense of the event. While the returns we had for hosting the event were improved relationships with other countries but lack of concrete solutions and address in issues of our own. Because of these, the people of Manila were encourage to act against the summit. Coinciding the summit is the Peoples’ Caravan against APEC and Imperialist Globalization (PCAIG). During the meetings, thousands protests and cries were heard in the empty streets. Like how the Aquino administration saw APEC, many progressives and activists utilized APEC as an opportunity to voice their complaints – claiming that APEC will only bring “development” between the people inside the four corners of the meeting rooms. While it is a matter of fact that Philippines’ hosting of APEC came out smooth, the summit left the countries’ state the same as when it arrived. Like how the government covered our “mess” to impress and to cope up to international standards, APEC was used as a veil by the world leaders to make relations and agreements behind closed doors. In essence of the meetings that happened during APEC, the Filipinos were not included in these talks – physically and metaphorically.
APEC to be launching pad: PH should thwart TPP bandwagon from page 3 the Philippines had among the lowest agricultural and non-agricultural tariffs in Asia. From an average of 21% from 1991-2000, the share of agricultural production in gross domestic product (GDP) fell by about 50% from 2011-2014 or to its lowest in more than two decades. Likewise, the share of manufacturing in GDP also fell to 23%, its lowest average level in almost 60 years. APEC-framed globalization has also aggravated the ‘de-nationalization’ and ‘de-industrialization’ of the Philippine economy, IBON said. Transnational corporations (TNCs) in the Top 1000 corporations in manufacturing accounted for almost 70% of annual earnings from 2004-2013. While foreign investments increased yearly by 54.6% in the last two decades, job creation declined yearly by 4% in the same period. Contrary to its stated goals of inclusiveness, APEC has identified areas for discussion this year such as food security, “blue economy”, small and medium enterprises and disaster risk reduction, which are being explored as implementation grounds of corporate-biased policies favorable to TNCs of developed countries especially the US, the group said.
PASASALAMAT! Isang taos-pusong pasasalamat sa lahat ng indibidwal na nagbigay ng kanilang kontribusyong pinansyal para sa Technical Material Support (TMS) na aming nagamit sa pagbibigay tulong pang-edukasyon sa mga kabataan ng Didipio, Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya noong ika-14 hanggang ika-16 ng Nobyembre.
Biyaheng Langit
BUWANANG DALAW: Nalilito, nahihilo
ni DIVINE LORAINE PENAFLOR
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Pila, Trapik, at Mabuting Pagtanggap DANNA LLAINE RUIZ
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las siyete trenta y singko na ng gabi nang makaalis ako ng UP. Maaga ako makakauwi. Matapos ang isang nakakapagod na araw sa paaralan, halos naaamoy ko na ang masarap at mainit-init na ulam sa bahay at ang malambot na kamang nag-aantay sa akin. Ngunit pagdating ko sa terminal ng dyip sa Harrison, ang daming tao at hindi ko mawari kung ano ang pila papuntang Camp 7, Camp 8, San Vicente, Apugan at Bontoc Village dahil dikit-dikit na ang mga tao sa pila. Halos mag-iisang oras na ako sa pila ngunit wala pa ring pagbabago sa haba nito. Ang tagal dumating ng mga pampasaherong dyip dahil na rin sa malalang trapik sanhi ng biglaang pag-akyat ng mga turistang apektado ng Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit sa mga pangunahing kalsada tulad ng Marcos Highway at Kennon Road na siyang daan ko pauwi. Nagbabakasyon ang mga tao dito sa Baguio dahil ilang araw ding walang pasok sa Maynila. Ilang lane din ang pinasarado ng Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) sa Epifanio de los Santos Avenue o EDSA para gawing ‘APEC lanes’. Hindi na nga magkasya ang libu-libong sasakyan sa kalsada, lalo
pang binawasan ang kanilang espasyo. Nadagdagan pa ang hirap ng mga commuter ng maglakad sila papunta sa kanilang patunguhan nang hindi umusad ang trapiko. Samu’t-saring reklamo at pasaring ang ipinaabot ng mga mamamayan dahil sa perwisyo na dulot ng pangyayaring ito. Ngunit hindi lang ito ang pagkakataon na tayong mga mamamayan ang napeperwisyo tuwing may internasyunal na mga aktibidad na gaganapin sa ating bansa o may mga lider ng ibang nasyon na bibisita sa atin. Taong 2012, nagkaroon ng isang internasyunal na komperensya tungkol sa kahirapan dito sa ating bansa, naglagay ng malaking makeshift na pader ang gobyerno mula sa paliparan hanggang sa kalunsuran ng Maynila. Bakit? Sa likod lang naman nito ay estero at isang sapang puno ng basura. Ayon sa tagapagsalita ng pangulo na si Ricky Carandang, “kahit anong bansa naman ay gagawa ng ‘pagsasaayos‘ bago dumating ang mga bisita. Hindi lamang iyan, nitong taon lamang, noong bumisita ang Santo Papa, daan-daang ding mga bata at pamilya na nakatira sa mga kalsada ang di-umano’y itinago ng Department of Social Welfare and Development o DSWD sa
Chateu Royale, isang resort sa Nasugbu, Batangas. Ayon sa mga imbestigasyon, lumalabas na sila ay dinala dito para daw sa isang ‘training‘ na nakabatay sa proyekto ng DSWD na ‘‘modified conditional cash transfer program“. Lagi’t laging sinasabi, “It’s more fun in the Philippines“. Binabandera ang kung anu-anong mga pook-pasyalan sa atin. Sa likod ng bawat magagandang commercial at advertisement na
Sino ba naman ang ating masisisi, hospitable nga raw tayo.
pinapakalat natin ay maraming buhay na tinatapakan at pilit na binubura. Mapa-APEC summit man yan o noong taong 2012, uso ang takpan ang kalakhan ng mamamamayan ng Pilipinas. Maraming kasinungalingan ang lumalabas. Sino ba naman ang ating masisisi, hospitable nga raw tayo. Hikayat tayo ng hikayat ng mga turista para pumunta sa atin pero kasabay nito ang pagpapahirap sa mga kapwa nating mga Pilipino. Ang mga kapwa nating mga Pilipino ay kinakahiya mismo ng kaniyang kapwa Pilipino. Kinokondena nila ang ginawa noon ng unang ginang na si Imelda Marcos dahil pagtatago niya sa mga iskwater noong ginanap sa Maynila ang Miss Universe Pageant noong 1974. Ang kaso nga lang, pauli-ulit pa rin itong ginagawa ng hanggang sa ngayon. Gaya ng pag-iisip ko sa mainit kong ulam at malambot na kama habang naghihintay sa pila ng dyip, hanggang pag-iisip na lang din siguro ang munting kahilingan ko na minsa’y wag sana tayo tanggap na lang ng tanggap. O kaya naman tumanggap tayo ng bisita at maging mabait sa kanila na hindi nangangahulugan sa pagtatakip at sa pagkakahiya sa mga kapwa nating Pilipino.
Hayaan niyong kantahan ko kayo JOHN REY DAVE AQUINO
U
.P. naming mahal Pamantasang komersyal Hinampas ko ang sofa na kinauupuan ko nang sampung beses habang nakatingin sa listahan ng mga estudyanteng nakapasa sa University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT). Pangarap ko na noon pa man na makapag-aral sa UP kaya tuwang-tuwa ako habang nakatingin sa screen ng laptop. Pinangarap ko na magtapos sa unibersidad, na makita si Oble araw-araw at matawag na Iskolar ng Bayan. Nag-aral ako sa isang pampublikong paaralan noong elementarya kaya wala akong binayaran. Isa naman akong full scholar noong high school sa isang pribadong paaralan, kaya naman nakakatawang isipin na kung mage-enroll ako sa UP ay magbabayad kami ng tuition, buong tuition. Akala ko noon, walang babayaran kasi madalas kong marinig yung mga iba na nagrereklamo, “Sayang ang tax namin kung magrarally-rally lang kayo diyan.”, “Iyan ba ang mga estudyanteng pinaglalaanan ko ng buwis?”. Akala ko sakop na ng sinasabi nilang tax ang pampaaral ko sana sa buong apat na taon. Akala ko lang pala. Hindi alam ng marami na ang isang UP student ay nagbabayad ng tuition. Tila nakatali pa
rin sa isang kasinungalingang Iskolar tayo. Nakasaad sa “handbook of academic information” na ang tuition na binabayaran ng isang mag-aaral sa UP ay mas mababa pa nga sa halaga ng edukasyon sa unibersidad. Pero dahil nga tayo ay nag-aaral sa isang state university, nakakatanggap tayo ng subsidiya mula sa pambansang gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng STS, na diskwento pala ang ibig sabihin.
Pero habang tumatagal, para bang nagbabago ang anyo ni Oble.
Ang yaman namin Sana’y wag nang kunin Naaalala ko pa noong araw ng enrollment. May dala ang nanay ko na pambayad para sa tuition ko. Pinadala ito ng tatay ko para makapag-enroll ako dahil nga gusto ko talagang mag-aral sa UP. Nakikipagkwentuhan si Mama sa isa pang magulang at napunta ang usapan sa tuition. Lumabas na pala ang resulta ng aplikasyon ngunit hindi pa namin alam. Tiningnan naming agad ang resulta: “After evaluating your ST application, you will receive 80% tuition discount when you enroll in the 1st Semester AY 2015-16.” Bracket D. Eighty percent ang magiging discount ko. Siyempre natuwa ako (at pati na rin ang nanay ko) pero sa pagtingin ko ngayon, hindi makatarungan ang pagbabayad ko ng tuition. State university ang UP. Sinusuportahan ito ng gobyerno. Dapat lang na walang bayarang matrikula. Sa mataas na bayarin Kami man ay dumaing Sa UPB, marami pa rin ang nasa pinakamataas na mga bracket (A, B, C), 69.26% kaysa sa pinakamababang mga bracket (D, E1 at E2), 30.35%. Mayroon pang kumukuha ng loan. Marami rin ang pinipiling huwag nang mag-aral sa UP dahil hindi kaya ng kanilang mga
magulang ang taas ng bayarin sa edukasyon ng unibersidad. Bukod pa sa tuition ay ang pagbabayad ng miscellaneous fees. ‘Di rin pakikinggan aming hiling ‘Di ba pakikinggan aming hiling? Natupad na nga ang pangarap ko na mag-aral sa UP. Isa na akong ganap na Isko at lagi ko nang nakikita si Oble. Pero habang tumatagal, para bang nagbabago ang anyo si Oble. Sa aking mga mata ay unti-unti siyang nagiging ginto at pilak, isang simbolo ng komersyalisasyon at pribatisasyon ng edukasyon. Isa na ngang kasinungalingan ang bansag na Iskolar ng Bayan. Hindi na buwis ng masa ang nagpapa-aral sa atin kundi perang pinaghirapan ng mga magulang natin. Hindi na tayo dapat tinatawag na Isko at Iska dahil wala nang laman ang mga katagang ito. Bansag na dati’y pinangarap kong maikabit sa akin, pero ngayon ay parang ayaw ko na. Kaya naman gusto ko kayong kantahan: U.P. naming mahal Pamantasang komersyal Ang yaman namin Sana’y wag nang kunin Sa mataas na bayarin Kami man ay dumaing ‘Di rin pakikinggan aming hiling ‘Di ba pakikinggan aming hiling?
8 | LATHALAIN
UP BAGUIO OUTCROP TOMO 42 ISYU 2 OKTUBRE-DISYEMBRE 2015
NCIP’s protection of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Paper Shield
ANGELA VALERIO AND PAULA ARMINA BUCO
Y
ou watched slowly as he looks at you with malevolent eyes, tearing everything you love apart. You crumble as you realize how everything you hoped for turned to ashes. Now all that’s left to do is wonder how your knight in shining armor ended up causing your utmost defeat. His Oath Under the light of the Indigenous Rights Act of 1997, the knight knelt as he said his oath, “mandated to protect and promote the interest and well-being of the Indigenous People (IP) with due regard to their belief, customs, traditions and institutions. We shall serve as the primary government agency responsible for the formulation and implementations of pertinent and appropriate policies and programs to carry out the policies set forth in the new law.” With this, he rose as the National Commission Indigenous People (NCIP), the knight-in-shining armor assigned to defend and protect the IP as he facilitates their Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) and the Certificate of Land Title (CALT). Both of which are issued as the agency recognizes the rights and ownership of Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICC) or the IP, himself or herself. As his oath entails protection and defending of the IP’s ways of life from anything that would threaten their community and culture, he made it so that he is to be consulted with the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) before anyone outside could visit or conduct projects within the communities, as he is also responsible for the projects or policies conducted. Passive Knight His Oath seems to be a mandate written on paper and ink as his notion of protecting seem to be
in words only. Since 2010, there has been 68 extrajudicial killings of the IPs. The most exposed incident, due to the spread of news by the media, is the Lumad Killings in Mindanao, Surigao del Sur and the destruction of their community. Early morning of September 1, 2015, members of the Manobo community in KM 16 Sitio Hanayan in Baranggay Diatagon, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, were attacked by armed men who were pointed out by the Lumad Representatives, during their dialogue with Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairman, Chito Gacson, as the military and the paramilitary of the Philippine Government. During this encounter, the Alternative Learning Center for Livelihood and Development (ALCADEV) Executive director, Emerito Samarca, was found dead in one of the classroom of ALCADEV. Meanwhile, Dionel Campos, Lumad leader and chairperson of Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang Sumusunod (MAPASU) and Juvello Sinzo, Lumad leader and MAPASU member, were shot dead in front of the community who were forcefully gathered in the basketball court of KM 15. These three people were devoted defenders of their culture and ancestral land. Even before this, there were 84 reported cases of attacks on community schools affecting Lumad children’s education and also, according to a report from Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KATRIBU), 2,262 IPs has evacuated their homes which are a result of the heightened imposition of military and paramilitary forces in Mindanao. This passivity of the knight to the violation of the basic human rights of the Lumads make it seem as if the knight-in-shining armor is only made of paper only as it neither protects nor defends, not even condemn the actions of those officially armed forces. Even in the past, Cordillera IP leaders, Marcus Bangit, Albert Teredano, and William Bugatti, were killed while trying to defend their land against destructive mining, logging and energy projects. Nevertheless, no justice was served and this is only a portion of
the so-called protection by the paper shield of the knight. Mining, logging, and energy projects are rampant at the Cordillera Region. Those of which were not approved by the community, itself, and were given a questionable Free Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) by the knight, himself. There was a case on August 2014 wherein the indigenous people of the Tukucan and Eheb withdrew their signature from a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and all other agreements, which support to the Quadriver hydro project, through a letter of retraction submitted to the NCIP. Despite this, the NCIP officials and local government employees disregarded the letter of retraction and other protests and pushed through the FPIC process and MOA signing for the continuation of the projects. The people of Kapangan in Benguet also experienced being disregarded after filing a petition. Their opposition regarding the issuance of a certificate precondition to a hydro project of the Cordillera Hydroelectric Corporation
The ‘knight-in-shining armor’ has defied his own mandate and has even violated it.
even reached NCIP’s central office but to no avail. Aside from the hydro projects, in Conner, Apayao to be exact, mining and corporate logging projects adversely affected the irrigation for the agricultural lands of this community. The NCIP, themselves, violated the licensing of FPIC and allowed their territories to be taken by the large energy and mining companies, leaving IP communities surprised to find their land being manipulated without their approval. Consultations were not made, nor were their protests heard out. Another manifestation of the incapability of the Knight to uphold his oath. Shredding the Paper The inaction of the NCIP in protecting and defending the IPs has led to numerous protest actions and call for its abolishment. The ‘knight-in-shining armor has defied his own mandate and has even violated it. NCIP never listened to the voice of the Cordillera people. Even though these supposed-to-be-protectors are IPs themselves, they served as the passage for various activities that has done only damage to their land, environment, and culture. Once again, you remember your knight-in-shining-armor coming in splendor and grace. You remember how once he gave you hope and security. You thought you knew him well, not knowing that all you saw was the facade. You tried to believe it was alright, not until nightmares after little nightmares came. You realize now that his shield was made of paper painted in silver and signed with gold, and his eyes that you once thought will look after you, was blind after all. He turned out to be a disappointment. A let down. A burden.