Monthly Archives: September 2012

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Philex disaster not God’s will, tragedy could have been prevented

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera, Featured, mining

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Ric Saturay of the UP National Institute of Geological Science (NIGS) and Samahan ng mga nagtataguyod ng Agham (Agham) said that it is never the will of God that the Tailings Pond 3 (TP3) of Philex Mining Corporation in Padcal, Tuba, Benguet leaked and caused heavy damage both to the environment and the livelihood of the people.

Saturay stressed that the incident of leakage from the ponds is far from being a “Force Majeure”. He said it could have been prevented in the first place if only the mining company employed precautionary measures in its operations.

“Force Majeure” according to the Wikipedia means a common clause in contracts that essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond the control of the parties, such as a war, strike, riot, crime, or an event described by the legal term act of God (such as hurricane, flooding, earthquake, volcanic eruption, etc.)

Philex blamed the heavy rains brought by Typhoon “Gener” on the first weeks of August that caused the tailings pond to give way.

Tailings Pond 3, according to Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA) Deputy Secretary General Santos Mero, was commissioned in 1992. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) estimated its life span to be 18-20 years meaning it should cease from being used in the first half of this year 2012. Mero said Philex insisted on utilizing it until 2014.

With a power point presentation, Saturay showed and explained the breached portion of the penstock A of TP3. He said the breach is of a structural failure caused by material degradation and excess load from overlying tailings, and foundation failure, weakening of the ground beneath the penstock and also attributed to the excess load.

The geologist said Philex could have avoided these failures if only it employed periodic monitoring and maintenance of its facility and made sure that it will not exceed the load limit. He added that the company should have done ground investigation, monitoring, and treatment to ensure the pond’s foundation.

According to the report of the Mines and Geosciences Board (MGB), the total weight of discharge tailings reached 20 million Metric Tons (MT) of tailings in 50 day period or 400,000 MT a day. Saturay said this is 47 times bigger than the total trash of Metro manila which is 8,500 MT a day.

Mill tailings are materials whether solid, liquid or both segregated from the ores during concentration or milling operations, which have no present economic value. (DENR MO 99-32, Ch1, Sec6, Definitions).

The tailings spillage affected the Balog creek that flows to the Agno River that runs down from Itogon to the neighboring province of Pangasinan. MGB slapped Philex with a P1 billion fine basing it on a P50 per MT spillage.

Saturay said the immediate and after effects are not yet included. He recommended that an independent investigation body consisting of multi-sectoral groups and institutions should do deeper probe to look at the real damages caused by the incident.

Meanwhile, CPA reiterated its position of making the mining company accountable to the disaster caused by its failure to secure the safety of its operation and to pay the damages to the people affected. The organization also stated that MGB and the DENR should also be held liable for having permitted such irresponsible operations by mining companies like Philex.. CPA chairman Windell Bolinget said Philex operations should totally stop and fully rehabilitate what it destroyed and the tailings pond must be decommissioned. # nordis.net

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Baguio court denies LTO plea

September 30, 2012 in Baguio City, Featured, transport

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Regional Trial Court First Judicial Region Branch 5 Judge Antonio Esteves denied the Motion for Reconsideration of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on an earlier decision declaring the agency’s Department Order as null and void for being unconstitutional.

On the May 2, 2012 decision, the court found the petition of Maria Basa Express Jeepney Operators and Drivers’ Association (MBEJODA) for a Writ of Preliminary Injunction against the LTO Department Order No. 2008-39 impressed with merit. MBEJODA contested the department order entitled “Revised Schedule of LTO fines and Penalties for traffic and Administrative Violations” enacted on October 6, 2008.

On March 4, 2009, three drivers and members of MBEJODA were apprehended by the agency’s agents for alleged out of line and deviation. They found out that the penalty is P6,000 and failure of paying within 72 hours would mean a surcharge of P1,500 a day.

The petitioners complained that the increase in the fines and penalties was exorbitant. They said that the charges were raised from P300 to P1,000.

The complainants claimed that the LTO directive has constitutional defects that makes it null and void. They argued that it is in the nature of penal legislation which practically deprived the petitioners and all other drivers of equal protection and the amounts of fine are tantamount to a confiscation of property without due process of law. The petitioners also alleged that the order is a revenue measure and not a valid exercise of the Police Power of the State.

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytors Nationwide-Metro Baguio (Piston-MB) President Carlito Wayas said that prior to the implementation of the department order, there were no public consultations were made by the LTO.

The issues raised in the petition was whether or not the order is a revenue measure or whether or not it is void and unconstitutional. The arguments also raised is that in order for a law or order to be valid, it must not contravene the constitution or statutes; must not be oppressive and impartial, but fair and general; must not prohibit but may regulate trade; must not contravene common right; must be consistent with public policy and must not be unreasonable.

The earlier decision also ordered all LTO personnel and offices acting in their behalf to cease and desist from implementing the order.

The LTO filed their Motion for Reconsideration dated May 24 and also submitted their comment and opposition to the decision. The court noted that the LTO was not able to advance new argument that would warrant reconsideration of the May 2 decision. The court stated that all the matters contained in the motion were already discussed in the earlier decision.

Wayas said that they welcome the latest decision against the department order. However, he also said that the issue is not yet over because LTO will surely bring it to the Court of Appeals (CA).

He hopes that the higher court will give the drivers and small jeepney operators a favorable action on the matter. # nordis.net

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Rep. Tinio urges teachers to support HB 2142

September 30, 2012 in Baguio City, Featured, law

By KIMBERLIE NGABIT-QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio called on the teachers of Apolinario Mabini Elementary School to join the growing numbers of teachers pushing for the passage of House Bill 2142, a bill seeking a legislated salary increase for teachers during the turn over of a new school building here where he was their guest on September 26.

NEW BUILDING. Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio leads the turn over ceremony for the new two classroom building at the Apolinario Mabini Elementary School here in Baguio City. The said building was funded by ACT Partylist. Photo by Kimberlie Ngabit-Quitasol

Tinio shared that the enactment of House Bill 2142 calling for a legislated salary increase for teachers remains ACT’s priority. He explained that the bill seeks to legislate salary grade 15 for teacher 1 or new teachers. He said that this would mean that from the around P8,000 basic salary of teacher 1, they would be receiving P15,000 and the rest will follow should the bill be passed.

“But we can not do it alone. We need your help,” he stressed. He pointed out that teachers should urge the Aquino administration to prioritize a legislated salary increase. He added that wage hike is not a priority of the present Aquino administration that is why HB 2142 is not moving.

Tinio was in Baguio as the guest of honor to the turn over of a new two classroom building at the Mabini Elementary. The said building was built from ACT Partylist development funds.

Tinio reiterated that the money allocated for the construction of the new classrooms are from the people’s taxes. “The funds used is our money. We are just putting into proper use our taxes,” he said.

According to Mabini Elementary School Principal Leonard Dawaton, the building will now hold the two Grade 5 sections that has been sharing the school’s social hall. “The completion of the building is really a big help to addressing the need for additional classrooms,” he reiterated.

Dawaton disclosed that the school needs four more classrooms even with the turn over of the new building. He explained that there is still a need to decongest classes because at present the school has a 1:55 teacher pupil ratio as opposed to the international standard ratio of 1:40.

The principal added that decreasing the number of pupils in a class would also mean additional teachers.

According to Dawaton the school building project was approved in 2010 and the construction started in 2011 and was completed only this year. “The project started through the initiative of the past school administration. It was just completed during my term,” he said.

After the building turnover, Tinio also turned over Filipino dictionaries at the Baguio National High School (BCNHS) main campus. # nordis.net

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PNP hit for uncalled actions in Mankayan dispersal

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera, human rights, mining

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — According to Cupido Banias of the Save Mankayan Movement (SMM) and resident of Sitio Madaymen of Barangay Tabeo, Mankayan, Benguet, the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who served the court order and attempted to disperse their anti-drilling barricade on September 17 only confirmed where their loyalty lies by the actions and attitude they displayed toward the people at the barricade.

DEFIANT. Residents of Bulalacao, Mankayan, Benguet reiterates their opposition to any drilling and mine related activities on their land. Photo courtesy of Kaiabang-CPA Benguet

That day, more than 100 policemen belonging to the PNP where some of them were armed with shields and some with guns escorted nine provincial sheriffs to serve a court order directing the protesting people of Mankayan to cease and desist from stopping the drilling activities of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC) and South African mining giant Gold Fields Ltd joint venture Far South East project.

Violence erupts when mine employees and company guards and the police tried to force their way through the human barricade of the Mankayan residents. According to reports, one resident and a cop suffered head lacerations and many others suffered from minor bruises.

Banias recounts that they were talking with Mankayan Chief of Police Ferdinand Oydoc, and were explaining that the people will not lift their barricade and will not permit the entry of more drilling equipments of far South East in the drilling site. They were also negotiating the posting of their counter-bond to the bond posted by the Lepanto in filing a petition of writ of preliminary injunction against the barricade of the community.

“Bigla ketdin nga adda ti mangibagbaga nga adda dagiti dadduma a pupulis a nangkadwa kadagijay sekyu ken trabahador ti Lepanto a mangipuspuslit ti materyales idiay bangir,” (Suddenly, someone told us that some policemen escorted the security guards and workers of Lepanto amd were sneaking in materials behind the barricade).

Banias narrated that the police followed a path cow herders used. “Kasla ketdin dalan ti napan nagtakaw ti mula,” (It looked like thieves who stole plants trying to make a get away) he added.

Banias said that this action taken by the police is that of a traitor who was just diverting the attention to be able to attack from behind.

He revealed that some policemen even pointed their service firearms at some of the youth, some of them were even minors, who tried to stop them. When they reported this to the chief of police Banias continued, they thought of having the incidence blottered. He said then that they realized that it was awkward to bring their report to the Mankayan police since the perpetrators are the police themselves.

“Saan min nga ammo ti pakikamangan mi ta diay ireklamo mi kuma ket isuna kuma ti pangiapanan ti reklamo, nakakatkatawa a makapaunget,” (We do not know where to seek redress/help as the people we are complaining about are the same ones to hear our complaints, it is funny and yet infuriating.) Banias said.

The Mankayan elder also questioned why the police instead of going back to the municipality’s police headquarters the night after the incident, they went to the company compound and stationed themselves there. He revealed that some policemen even escorted company employees to bring packed food for the employees and guards at the drilling site. He said police vehicles were even used to ferry more company equipment.

“Awan, saan min a maitalek nga agpatulong kadagiti tattao a rumbeng lang a tumulong ta isu trabaho da, ti manamnama mi laengen ket ti determinasyon ken panagtitinnulong mi,” (We cannot trust anymore the people who should be helping us as it is their mandate, we can only rely on our determination and our unity) Banias sighed. # nordis.net

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Flashback to a picket

September 30, 2012 in mining, national

By MARY LOU MARIGZA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — With the recent mine tailings leak at Philex’ Padcal mines and the barricades at Lepanto and the continuing struggle of the people of Cagayan and Ilocos versus magnetite mining, we recall a march and a picket staged last February in Metro Manila. Have the mining companies listened? Seems not.

Last February 29, community leaders from all over Northern Luzon picketed mining companies in Metro Manila to protest the continuing destruction on livelihood, land, food security and human rights of these mining companies.

Spearheaded by AMIANAN SALAKNIBAN, an alliance of environmental and people’s organizations in Northern Luzon, the picket started at the Chamber of Mines in Ortigas. Here, national organizations joined the NL delegation in solidarity to the clamor of NL people to stop destructive mining and plunder. Bayan Muna partylist representative Teddy Casino and Padi Rex Reyes, representing the National Council of Churches expressed unity with the NL people in their quest to preserve the integrity of creation.

Marching to Colossal Mines headquarters, the picketers from Ilocos Region and Cagayan who are affected by magnetite mining took turns in lambasting the mining company and its partner, the Australian Consolidated Sands Incorporated.

Before noon, the picket reached Philex Mining Corporation headquarters. Here community leaders from areas affected by Philex Mining narrated the hardships people suffer from Philex’ operations. Workers receive low wages and suffer unfair labor practices by the big corporation that has become rich from the blood of its workers. Santos Mero, deputy secretary of Cordillera Peoples Alliance closed the program with an enumeration of the sins of Philex to Benguet.

The picketeers had lunch in front of the headquarters of Philex before proceeding to the office of Lepanto Consolidated. At the headquarters of Lepanto in Makati, the steel doors were locked. A window in the upper floors posted signs that supposedly Lepanto employees were having fire drills.

It will be recalled that in a 2006 picket of Mankayan people against LCMC, the people angrily threw mine tailings from Lepanto at the door of the headquarters. A short program was held where community leaders from Mankayan lambasted the company’s human rights violations, the grave destruction to Mankayan causing large sinkholes and the collapse of a mine tailings dam.

A spokesperson for BAMPIS Mine Watch, narrated the callousness of LCMC for continuing the bad practices of letting its toxic wastes further kill the Abra River. Toxic wastes from Lepanto have spread from Mankayan to Santa, Ilocos Sur thru the Abra River.

A worker from Lepanto gave testament to the dangers workers and the community face from the operations of LCMC. While the company rakes in huge profits in its 70 years of operation, the miners are laid off, not given back wages and are subjected to dangerous situations inside the tunnels.

Students who participated in the picket showed their support. League of Filipino Students spokesperson Jenna showed how students even if studying in Metro Manila are aware of the problems faced by NL people on the issue of mining and human rights.

Narrating that they came from another picket, this time on giant transnational oil companies due to another increase in oil prices, she said students want to understand the issues and want to join the people in the struggle for a free, democratic and progressive country.

The picket then proceeded to the office of Benguet Corporation. This time community leaders from Benguet, Zambales and Ilocos Norte took turns in berating Benguet Corp for its bad record of destruction in its areas of operation. Its open pit mine is a wasteful example of the greed of mining corporations that have eaten up the golds of Benguet for a century of operation. Benguet Corp’s toxic wastes are flowing down Agno river and polluting rice fields in Pangasinan.

The picket ended at the offices of two companies with applications in Nueva Vizcaya: Coolobah and Red Earth. Here Youth Against Mining representative said the youth will not allow their province to be destroyed further. Nueva Vizcaya is a watershed reservation whose rivers feed into five big dams in Northern Luzon. Therefore, it must be spared from all forms of mining activities.

A solidarity night with human rights and environmental advocates in Metro Manila capped the night. Seminarians from Saint Andrews Seminary, church people, students from colleges in Manila and students from St Theresa declared their support to the struggle of the people of Northern Luzon against mining and development aggression, against human rights violations, against vilification and repression and for the protection of land, life and resources.

Now this was last February. So much has happened in Philex, LCMC, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan and Ilocos in the magnetite mining. When will our officials listen to the people and the groaning of creation? When will the big foreign mining companies heed the call for responsible and non-wasteful mining? When will large foreign mining companies give back to the next generation an environment that is healthy, clean, habitable and progressive? When can we even be safe in their greed to get all the mineral resources of our country? # nordis.net

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Kolehiyo sa Ilocos nagpataw ng aksyon pandisiplina dahil sa Facebook post, kinondina

September 30, 2012 in human rights, Ilocos

By KABATAAN PARTYLIST (PR)

VIGAN CITY — Mariing kinondena ng Kabataan Partylist Ilocos ang pagpataw ng aksyong pandisiplina at banta ng pagsampa ng kasong libelo sa mga mag-aaral ng Data Center College of the Philippines-Vigan City dahil sa kanilang mga post sa kanilang Facebook group hinggil sa isang kontrobersya sa katatapos pageant sa kanilang eskwelahan.

Ang naturang mga estudyante ay naglabas ng kanilang pagtingin ukol sa paniningil sa kanila ng P100 para sa ticket para sa nasabing pageant subalit sa araw mismo ng pageant naging libre ang pagpasok ng lahat ng nais manood. May ilang estudyante rin na pinagbenta ng tiket.

Naglabas ng hinaing ang mga estudyante sa kanilang Fb page at nang mabalitaan ito ng administrasyon ay agad na pinatawag ang mga estudyanteng nag-post at kahit nag group message sa text upang sabihan sila na maaari silang kasuhan ng libel dahil sa kanilang mga sinabi. Maging ang mga dating mag-aaral na nag-like lamang at nagkomento sa mga post ay sinabihan din ng administrasyon na hindi ibibigay ang kanilang Official Transcript of Records.

Bago ang insidenteng ito mayroon na rin umanong mag-aaral na napatawan ng disciplinary action dahil din sa Facebook post na nagkokomento sa nakalipas na Student Council elections.

Ayon sa pahayag ng Kabataan Partylist Ilocos ang Facebook bilang pinaka-ginagamit na social networking site ngayon ay isa ring lugar kung saan ang nasasabi ng walang takot ang mga hinaing at nais sabihin ng karamihan. Dagdag pa nito ang mga Facebook group, tulad ng sa Tropang Data, ay binubuo upang maging mas madali ang pakikipag-usap sa bawat miyembro at mapalalim ang relasyon sa mga magka-eskwela.

“Ang maglabas ng hinaing o anumang saloobin sa Facebook group ay katumbas na rin ng pribadong pakikipag-usap sa mga kabarkada o kaibigan,” patuloy ng pahayag.

Bago pa man magkaroon ng Cybercrime Law ay nakapagpataw na ang paaralan ng kaso sa isang mag-aaral. Sa pagsasabatas nito ay lalo pang magkakaroon ng kapangyarihan ang mga administrasyon na manghimasok kahit sa mga Facebook post ng mga estudyante.

“Ito mismo ang dahilan kung bakit tinututulan ng Kabataan Partylist ang Cybercrime Law lalo na ang probisyon nito hinggil sa libel. Sa nais mangyari ng administrasyon ng DCCP-Vigan, gusto nilang patahimikin ang boses ng mag-aaral at pigilan ang kanilang karapatan sa malayang pagsasalita at pagpapahayag. Ang banta rin ng libel at maski ang disciplinary action nang dahil lamang sa Facebook post ay hindi makatarungan at labag sa demokratikong karapatan ng mga mag-aaral,” pagtatapos ng pahayag. # nordis.net

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Ilocos youth group slams bills seeking to privatize public hospitals

September 30, 2012 in health, Ilocos, social concerns

By KABATAAN PARTYLIST (PR)

VIGAN CITY — Kabataan Partylist Ilocos slams the proposal of Rep. Anthony Rolando Golez’ House Bill 6069, Rep. Raul Daza’s House Bill 6145 and Sen. Franklin Drilon’s Senate Bill 3130 that seeks to transform 26 public hospitals, including the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC), into corporations.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), 80% of the people rely on public health care. In the ITRMC, most patients come even from the upland and far-flung communities of the region just so they can avail of affordable health services.

In the Ilocos provinces, only a few hospitals remain to be government-funded and most do not even receive sufficient funding. This results to out-dated equipment, lack of medicine and medical supplies and inadequate health services.

The ITRMC still remains to be the go-to hospital for the people in the region.

“To turn the ITRMC and other public hospitals into corporations will be a betrayal of the government’s mandate to provide accessible and quality health care for all,” the Kanataan Partylist Ilocos statement read.

The youth group pointed out that the privatization of the water and electric utilities was supposed to create competition so that the price would lower for the consumer. However, this did not happen as is evident in the continuous increase of prices in the water and electric bills.

“If the government is bent on seeking improvement for health services, the answer is to increase the budget for it and not privatization,” the statement added.

The youth group also said that the Presidential pork that the Aquino administration plans to give away to his allies and party-mates must be re-channelled to health services so that more people can benefit from it and not be used as campaign money for the 2013 elections.

During the Ilocos Youth Summit last August, one of the main problems that was pin-pointed is the lack of accessible quality health care for all.

The youth of today are well-aware of the issues that affect them and the root causes of the problems that they are confronted with.

“The Ilocano youth is ready and able to not let these bills pass. If Aquino’s party-mates and other aspiring politicians want to ensure a seat in local politics, they must take the side of the people in opposing the privatization of public hospitals,” the statement further read.

“We are calling on the Aquino administration to allot 5% of the Gross Domestic Product or the amount of P527 Billion by 2013 to health services. Hospital facilities must be improved, including adequate equipment, supplies and medicine,” the statement reiterated.

The youth group further said that health workers must also be given their due in wages and benefits and to hire more health workers so that there can be an adequate patient to health worker ratio.

The entry of private business in the different departments and functions of public hospital must be stopped. # nordis.net

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Baguilat condems continued killings of IP leaders

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera, human rights, national

By AIZA NAMINGIT

IFUGAO — Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat has issued an urgent appeal for President Aquino to put a stop to the unabated killing of leaders of indigenous peoples who are fighting to protect their ancestral domain from what they deem to be unacceptable large scale and small scale mining operations.

“The annihilation of IP leaders who are just protecting their ancestral domain against large scale and small scale mining is a strong justification for our call for a moratorium on mining in ancestral domains,” said Baguilat.

“I also want to make a personal appeal for President Aquino to order the Philippine National Police not to treat these killings as ordinary criminal cases but to consider them as an assault and an attempt to subjugate the IPs and take ancestral lands for mining purposes,” he added.

Genesis Ambason of Agusan del Sur was the latest case of extrajudicial killing of an IP leader. He was allegedly killed last Sept. 13 by the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit of the 26th Infantry Battalion. 

Ambason is secretary general of Tagdumahan, which is actively campaigning against the entry of large-scale mining ventures in the ancestral domains in Agusan del Sur. 

Estimates show that 18 indigenous leaders and activists have already died because of their active involvement in the defense of indigenous peoples’ rights to their ancestral lands . 

Baguilat said it was alarming that these killings continue without any solution in sight and with hardly any action on the part of the Commission on Human Rights and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

He said that the Aquino government’s gains in addressing the plight of the indigenous peoples are being negated by the continued killing of IP leaders. 

IP leaders are being targeted because mining permits in ancestral domains require the consent of the IPs. Their right over these ancestral domains, which are considered to be rich in valuable minerals such as gold and silver, are enshrined in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act, which was passed 15 years ago. 

The Act provides for the securing of a free and informed prior consent before large scale industrial developments, such as mining exploration, can be allowed.

“I pray that President Aquino will recognize and respect the right of the IPs to self determination and to their ancestral domain,” said Baguilat. # nordis.net

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Tour guides donate supplies to school kids

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera

By GWEN GAONGEN
www.nordis.net

SAGADA, Mt. Province — The Sagada Environmental Guides Association (SEGA) donated assorted school supplies to 86 elementary school pupils at the Maket-an Elementary School of Barangay Bantey, Tadian, Mt. Province last September 9.

The Mountaineering group under the SEGA usually take tourists to mountaineering treks from the Ampacao Summit of Sagada to Maket-an route. On September 08, SEGA was able to raise some funds from tourists’ registration fees. According to SEGA president Jerry “Biag” Gaongen, the funds were decided by the group to be allotted for school supplies such as paper, pencils, erasers, crayons and books. These were augmented by some of their tourist friends.

SEGA chose the Maket-an Elementary School as beneficiary as they were impressed by the school’s contribution to the campaign of reduce, reuse, recycle as part of the waste management efforts. Pupils at the school reuse blank side of paper for their school needs.

Moreover, the group saw that the pupils really needed support as are come from marginalized peasant families. The SEGA members who often trek to the Maket-an area say that students maximize the use of their pencils, to some 3” inches or less for their lessons. Most do not even have erasers and other school supplies.

Like most of rural elementary schools in Mt. Province, Maket-an Elementary School is short of basic necessities. For instance, grades 4 and 5 share one classroom. The SEGA contribution to the school is the very least that the group can do for the school says Biag Gaongen. He says that hopefully the community will be able to retain its scenic beauty and continue with its environmentally sound practices. Not only is the area a haven for mountaineers, it contributes also to sustainable livelihoods of farmers along the area, Biag added.

SEGA is the pioneer tourist guide organization in Sagada. It has been in existence since the late 80’s. To date, the organization boasts of 96 members. They are advocates of environmental protection not only because Sagada’s allure to tourists is its natural scenic spots but because the group recognizes the negative effects of environmental destruction to livelihoods and risks to disasters.

SEGA also periodically conducts first aid and emergency response trainings for its members, schools and other groups willing to tap their skills. They have featured in rescue and extrication missions in emergency situations in the municipality as well as in the province. # nordis.net

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Baguio dads approve terms of reference for Athletic Bowl development

September 30, 2012 in Baguio City

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The Term of Reference (TOR) for the development of the Baguio Athletic Bowl was approved after an 8-4 vote by the members of the City Council.

Councilors Richard Cariño, Philian Weygan-Allan, Nicasio Aliping, Nicasio Palaganas, Joel Alangsab, Elmer Datuin, Erdolfo Balajadia and Fred Bagbagen voted for the approval. Councilors Isabelo Cosalan, Peter Fianza, Karminn Yangot and Edison Bilog on the other hand voted against. Councilors Perlita Chan-Rondez and Betty Lourdes Tabanda were not around during the votation

According to Council Committee on Laws chairman Richard Cariño, a bidding should take place prior to the process for the development but after passing through offices and bodies like the City Development Council (CDC), the Regional Development Council (RDC), Investment Committee and the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA). He stressed that there were no anomalies in the TOR’s approval.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan welcomed the approval of the TOR. He said that it will be brought back to the technical working group for the preparation of a feasibility study. He added that it will again be referred to the members of the City Council for the conduct of a public hearing to draw its social acceptability.

He said that the process will be tedious and irregularities will not be allowed.

Cariño said they are requiring any interested investor to develop the Athletic Bowl to pass another round of scrutiny and inquiry for approval by the members of the City Council before a signing of a contract by the executive department.

He emphasized the point that approving the TOR does not mean they are already approving any development and any contract entered into by the city government. He said that the council’s motion can never be a done deal as said in the privilege speech of Councilor Edison Bilog in one of the council’s regular sessions.

Meanwhile, Councilor Peter Fianza reminded fellow councilors that the city government has not yet approved the master plan created by the University of the Cordilleras as it does not include the proposed development are of the Athletic Bowl and the old City Auditorium. He said the City is still referring developments on the Burnham master plan provided by Architect Ignacio Estipona. # nordis.net

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Council reminds Abanao to pay taxes as real estate lessor

September 30, 2012 in Baguio City

By DELIA BAGNI
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Members of the Baguio City council endorsed the application of the Abanao Square to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to operate business process outsourcing (BPO) or call center facility with a condition that Abanao Square will continue to pay business taxes to the city government and continue to operate as a real estate lessor.

A 2,000 square meter or the 4th and 5th floor of Abanao Square is intended for PEZA-registered Information Technology (IT) facility.

According to Councilor Lourdes Tabanda, the mall will still use government facilities like the sewerage among others. She reminded that Abanao Square should pay its obligations.

In the discussions, Tabanda and other councilors said that if Abanao Square will be registered to PEZA then the City government can no longer collect business tax from the mall. Under PEZA rules, businesses under ecozones are exempted from tax collection by local governments. PEZA Baguio zone administrator Dante Quindoza however said that even only two floors will be used as PEZA ecozones and agreed that the building will still have to use public utilities so they have to pay what they should pay.

Quindoza said that PEZA-registered IT technology centers and other ecozones enjoy income tax holidays benefit for four years. He added that the centers have the option to pay special five percent tax on gross income in lieu of all national and local taxes. The City government on the other hand is entitled to a share of two percent from the five percent as provided by the law.

At present , there three main ecozones in the City nemlythe Baguio City Economic Zone in Loakan, the John Hay Special Tourism Economic Zone and the SM Baguio Cyber Zone building along Harrison Road.

Abanao Square Operations Manager Dory Vicencio said that other businesses operating inside the building are not covered by PEZA policies. Therefore, she continued they are still subject to securing business and other permits to and paying taxes from the city government.

She also said that the building still should secure permits from the city in compliance with the city government’s building code.

According to Vicencio, the IT center in Abanao Square will generate employment of 3,000-3,500 benefiting not only residents of Baguio and the Cordillera Region but also to neighboring provinces.

On the other hand, the council deffered action on the application for registration of Neutrinus Enterprises to the PEZA to run an IT center along Magsaysay Avenue.

They agreed to study further the plea of Neutrinus as it has yet to construct a building. They said the case is unlike Abanao that there is already an established building. # nordis.net

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New ATMs, timekeeping kiosk for Baguio City employees

September 30, 2012 in Baguio City

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Forty timekeeping devices that can generate reports and track employees’ ins-and-outs effectively were provided by the Philippine Veterans Bank to the City Government of Baguio.

According to Veterans Bank Jesus Vicente Garcia, it will be a big help to the City Government as the kiosks will enable the automation of attendance monitoring of city hall employes and other Human Resource services. He said that the timekeeping kiosk is a complete human resource information system using a combined bar code reading and fingerprint-scanning technology enabling the local government’s HR officers to benefit greatly from its ease-of-use. The maintenance of the hardware and software will be shouldered by the bank.

On the other hand, Two Veterans Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the Baguio City Hall were replaced. “As the Veterans Teller ATMs run on the BancNet network, other banking services can also be availed of through the machines including balance inquiry, bills payment and mobile phone reloading,” according to the press release of the bank.

According to Garcia, City hall employees will each be issued an All-in-one Veteran Teller ATM/ID which will serve as their employee’s ID and ATM card as well. The ATM card can be used to purchase items from many retail establishment that allow point-of-sale transactions.

Veterans Bank is a private commercial bank owned by World War II veterans and descendants. It has already 60 branches nationwide and also caters to private and corporate retail markets. As part of its mandate, Veterans Bank allocates 20% of its annual net income for the benefit of WW II veterans and their heirs through medical and livelihood programs.

Garcia said that as an authorized government depository, the bank has been helping local government units by providing them with access to banking services to spur local growth and development. He added that the bank’s partnership with the City Government is a testament to the bank’s continued commitment to nationwide development and providing its clientel with innovative banking products and solutions.

The ribbon-cutting was led by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan, Representative Bernardo Vergara and other local officials. They were assisted by Garcia, Veterans Bank Vice-President and Branch Central Services Head Alfredo B. Santiago and other bank officials. # nordis.net

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Ifugao solon seeks peace among warring Abra tribes

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera

By AIZA LIZA NAMINGIT

MANILA — Indigenous peoples in Abra have adopted modern technology to solve an age-old boundary dispute.

Last week, Ifugao Representative Teddy Brawner Baguilat took part in efforts to head off a potentially bitter boundary dispute among warring tribes in Abra, which involved getting the tribes to agree to the 3D mapping of the area under dispute.

After a ritual invoking the blessings of the spirits, both sides agreed to adopt 3D mapping as well as government cadastral surveys as basis for settling their boundary dispute, thus upholding the bodong or peace pact of 1977, which was affirmed in 1993.

Baguilat, who personally discussed the merits of 3D mapping with the tribal elders, said that both sides left the latest round of peace talks with the agreement that the area under dispute as plotted on the 3D map was not as large as earlier thought.

The leaders also affirmed their adherence to the bodong that outlined traditional boundaries, saying that what the ancestors had agreed to should be held sacred.

The conflict involves the Maeng Tribe of Tubo and the Balatoc, Belwang and Masadiit tribes of Boliney and the 3D map was constructed upon the request of the mayors of the concerned municipalities for help in settling the dispute.

The parties recognized the need for a peaceful resolution of their boundary conflict as it is essential for the approval of their application for a certificate of ancestral domain title and the development of their respective communities.  

Baguilat participated as mediator following a resolution from the Tipon ti Umili Para iti Panangsaluad ti Nakaparsuan (TIPON), an indigenous peoples organization representing the Maeng tribe in Tubo, Abra, requesting the mediation of the OPAPP, National Cultural Communities Committee of the House of Representatives and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples on the local conflict between Tubo and Boliney through the assistance of the Foundation for Philippine Environment (FPE) and the Philippine Association for Intercultural Development (PAFID).

Baguilat, chair of the NCC, committed to seeing the process through so that peace will continue to reign in the area. # nordis.net

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Nine arrested in gambling joint raid

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera, social concerns

By ACE ALEGRE

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — A gambling joint in La Trinidad, Benguet’s capital town, was raided by authorities on the night of September 23 and arresting at least nine, five of whom were “bingo gambling joint” workers and four bettors.

The gambling joint that hid itself as a carnival at Km. 5, Barangay Pico, just a few meters from the La Trinidad municipal hall and police station, was reportedly “bank rolled” by a group who took a certain Jim de Vera as goffer and front reportedly operated for more than two months before it was noticed by authorities.

Joint members of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management section of the Benguet police led by Chief Inspector Melchor Ong and newly installed La Trinidad town police chief Senior Inspector Arnold Ventura trapped Josie Veranses, 46, from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; Leonora Hardin, 24, from Baler, Nueva Ecija; Jerome Torres, 24, from Cabiao, also in Nueva Ecija; Jaysie Torres, 27, also from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija; and Armel Bautista, 40, from San Carlos, Pangasinan. All five are workers of the gambling joint.

While bettors: Nestor Aquno, 31; Reynald Mamoya, 42; Winston Paltungan, 23; and Manuel Codeo, 23; all La Trinidad residents were also taken by policemen.

Assorted gaming paraphernalia and cash bets amounting to P5,820 in different denominations were also confiscated. All nine are now facing criminal raps.

Though commendable, the long overdue raid which the police cannot explain, is being criticized especially pointing at policemen’s attitude towards complaints.

A La Trinidad resident who has been complaining about the presence of several other gambling joints in the capital town said on anonymity, “maybe because the police has a new Chief.”

Senior Inspector Ventura has just replaced Senior Inspector Richard Albon who was La Trinidad police chief for two years. # nordis.net

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Editorial Cartoon

September 30, 2012 in editorials, Featured, opinion

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Editorial: Uphold press freedom

September 30, 2012 in Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, editorials, Featured, opinion

www.nordis.net

Forty (40) years after Martial Law was declared, senior journalists expressed a common perception that Martial Law’s legacy of stifling press freedom persists. To illustrate this, cited was the recent rushed enactment of the Data Privacy Act or Cybercrime Law visavis the continued delay (19 years) of the passing of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) in congress; the continuing extra-judicial killings against journalists, and the practice of – both open and veiled – threats against journalists at work because of their coverage and published stories share out empowering information to the reading public.

Baguio media practitioners may be comfortable that they are not exposed to these kind of threats but the readership they profess to serve may just be the victims of a growing complacency in the ranks of local journalists and they themselves become tools in stifling the freedom of information.

Issues of the day here in Baguio are: the conservation of the environment and preservation of the trees against ground moving projects of the likes of retail giants, big real estate developers who do not even pay the proper taxes to the local government; the sale and lease of so-called public lands that are actually the ancestral lands of indigenous peoples to raise funds for the LGU’s programs but in practice are more for some local bureaucrat’s so-called campaign funds or rewards; the expensive and problematic garbage disposal system (whose solution may have been found and be more economical if the study focus included the creation of the garbage to be disposed by the city); and also, why is the city’s land use plan stuck again where it is now?

In the provinces are the striking issues surfaced by large scale mining including those playing hide and seek as small scale mining projects with foreign investments; the “illegal logging” being blamed on the ancestral land – domain holders; big scale production of energy or power; and large corporate, mono-crop plantations; the rising human rights violations and militarization of indigenous peoples communities, etc.

Ignorance is a great enemy to the survival of a people, the handlers of information can have a lot to do for or against this enemy. The deterioration of the quality of our country’s education and educational system topped by the narrow quality of the palliative, “image building” or personality building mass media is not helping the masses at all, much more the promotion of government programs that do not actually alleviate poverty but promotes it instead, etc.

For journalists to continue and strengthen the practice of sharing scientific, relevant and precise data is one way of eroding ignorance and arming the society we live and work with, against the repeat of Martial Law or against anyone wanting to cause unfairness and injustice in our communities.

Uphold press freedom. # nordis.net

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Crossroads: Tricks of magnetite mining companies

September 30, 2012 in Cagayan Valley, columns, Featured, mining, opinion

By MARY LOU MARIGZA
www.nordis.net

In the environment and social risk appraisal to magnetite mining affected areas in Cagayan, people interviewed shared their stories of the evil tricks the mining companies employed. Earlier we have narrated how the mining companies in Aparri told the people they were going to build a sardines factory in the area.

In Gonzaga, the “singkit” managers (obviously these were the foreigners) contracted with people to sandbag the sand which they promised to buy at P80/sako. They imposed a quota of 80 – 100 sacks per day. The people at the barrio later complained that even if the whole family got involved in sandbagging they could not meet the target. Then the promised buying price was reduced to P20/sack. For all their effort and hard work they get a measly sum. Most of them decided not to sandbag anymore.

In another barrio of Gonzaga, they were given big magnets and this time only the black sand was sold to the local contractors of the black sand. (If you have seen the video No Black, No Green, No Blue a barangay captain in Paoay, Ilocos Norte showed how the process was done in their barrio. The people of Paoay stopped the company from getting the black sand when they realized their sand dune barriers will get destroyed and open their homes and rice fields to flooding.)

Again in a barrio of Gonzaga, those who were enticed to offer their rice fields near the beach for sand extraction opted to lease their lands to the magnetite mining companies. The mining company promised to return the rice field to its former state once finished with extraction. Some rice fields were dug to three meters deep. And the rice fields were just left as is – holes in the ground with the farmer and his family putting the soil back in order to be able to plant rice and corn again. One farmer who leased his land said the rice with panicles we saw is his first crop after the mining company bulldozed and dug up his land. He did admit his well where they get their household water is now salty. The neighbor who did not lease his rice fields also reported that his well is now salty and at the time of the diggings he noticed the water was muddy.

In another barrio the people reported that aside from the water turning salty and murky, they experienced diarrhea. Many mothers have resorted to buying bottled water or getting water from the next sitio further away from the shores. Some mothers also noticed that their hair fall is now much more than they normally experienced before the barrio was mined for black sand.

Noise and dust pollution was a common complaint of the communities near the black sand mining operations. Apart from the noise, the constant rumble and shaking of heavy dump trucks, bulldozers and backhoe that operate 24/7 has caused sleepless nights, migraines and irritation. Their roads are now muddy and flooded during rains and dusty and “holey” in dry weather. Mothers constantly fear for the safety of the children as the dump truck drivers do not observe courtesy and safety on the roads.

In Gonzaga, the Gonzaga Alliance for Environmental Protection and Preservation (GAEPP) has valiantly fought the foreign mining companies. They have not wavered and have won major victories like acquiring a cease and desist order on April 29, 2012 “Issuance of Memorandum to MGB and EMB Bureau Directors” by DENR USEC for Field Operations Secretary Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo which sadly has not yet been implemented by the Region 2 DENR Office.

In Buguey, the Alliance of Buguey for Community Development Advocacy (ALBUCODA) despite threats to life and limb have not buckled down in their commitment to stop the operations of the numerous foreign mining companies on their shores in an effort to save and preserve Buguey lagoon and the future generation. The have gone to court and scored major victories but they have also suffered major losses to life like the assassination of one of their leaders, Gensun Agustin or the murder of Conrado Buenaflor.

The environmental activists and concerned people of Cagayan including the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao have time and again appealed to stop the black sand mining operations. Let us not wait for a similar accident like the Rapu-rapu mine spill or another Philex tailings leakage before we take action to stop the magnetite mining companies whether or not they have legal permits. Whatever is legal may not necessarily be environmentally good and sound. # nordis.net

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Labor Watch: New wage system kills

September 30, 2012 in columns, Featured, opinion

By ALDWIN QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

“The only thing that ever consoles man for the stupid things he does is the praise he always gives himself for doing them.” — Oscar Wilde

On the month of April, the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of the Department of Labor and Employment (RTWPB-DOLE) employed the two-tiered wage system (2tws) and implemented it as a test run in Region 4A or Calabarzon. Under 2tws, the first tier is a mandatory national wage, or a floor wage, while the second tier above the national floor wage is productivity-based.

According to DOLE, the floor wage is based on “the current poverty threshold, average wage, and socioeconomic conditions” in the country’s regions. In Calabarzon, a P255 floor wage was set and wage levels below P255 will be increased by amounts from P2 to P90 over a five-year period while wage levels above P255 will be given a P12.50 conditional temporary productivity allowance. The product based- tier will have to be approved by the Productivity Improvement and Incentives Committees which will be created in workplaces.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz claimed minimum wage earners in 11 regions are now benefiting from a two-tier wage hike following the issuance of new wage orders by the wage boards. She said 11 RTWPBs issued new wage orders granting increases to minimum wage earners either in the form of basic pay or cost of living allowance (COLA) basing it on the update from the National Wage and Productivity Commission (NWPC). Last week also, the secretary announced that the 2tws will be implemented in11 regions where the Cordillera Region is included.

According to a study of the labor-dedicated Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER), the 2TWS can drag the existing wage rates and deepen the workers’ exploitation mainly because the floor wage is set in accordance to the poverty threshold while the productivity wage will drive workers to produce beyond their capacity despite backward technology.

In the 2tws, the floor wage serves now as the minimum wage. The yellow president of the yellow crowd claimed before that the minimum wage of the Filipinos is high. But now, they have designed a strategy to cut it down trying very hard to quiet it so that the people will not notice it.

Many employers throughout the country are hard-headed and thick-skinned enough not to comply with the minimum wage law. Now that a term “floor wage“ is fabricated, it is much to their advantage for they are no longer obliged to comply with the minimum wage required by law.

The wage system designed by geniuses of their kind kills the power of the collective bargaining power. The union through the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) can negotiate with the management on wage increases in their respective workplaces. But here in this system, wage adjustments will be based on the productivity of the company, it will depend on the profit. How many employers so far admitted they are gaining much so they can raise the wages of their workers?

Stupid people fooling hungry people is like saying the dog says meow meow and the cat says bow wow wow. The scheme does not work for the workers, it will only fire up the anger of the impoverished workers. # nordis.net

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Statements: Support to the people of Mankayan in their struggle vs Lepanto

September 30, 2012 in Cordillera, Featured, mining, opinion, statements

By DONNA RABANG PETA
Convener, Defend Ilocos Against Mining Plunder

FINELA C. MEJIA
Convener, Save the Abra River Movement

We support the continuing struggle of the people of Mankayan in opposition to the drilling operation of Goldfields and expansion of Lepanto. The resilience shown by the people of Tabeo, Mankayan and members of Save Mankayan Movement to keep their barricade standing for eight-long months despite all the efforts of Goldfields, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company and state armed forces to disperse the residents is an inspiration for all those are fighting for their land, life and livelihood against large-scale and destructive mining.

We condemn in the strongest sense the brutal attempts of the LCMC, PNP and AFP to tear down and disperse the peoples’ barricade. The early-morning assault on September 17 (the third since May 25) directed against the 300 men, women, elderly and children manning the blockade by about 115 PNP personnel, 40 AFP, 50 Lepanto security guards, and inaction of the NCIP and CHR despite witnessing the resounding call and sacrifice of the people to stop the drilling operation of Goldfields and fight for their rights is a testament of the incompetence and bias for Lepanto. It further substantiates that the PNP, AFP, and government agencies like the CHR and NCIP are nothing but mere instruments of the state to deceive the people, protect the interest of large-scale mining companies and quell collective actions to assert human rights.

We join the call of the people of Mankayan and all other communities to bring to an end Lepanto’s more than seven decades of operation and greed that destroyed scores of livelihood, poisoned the Abra River, and continue to threaten the health and safety of the residents of the people. Lepanto’s operation significantly contributes to the pollution of the Abra River – a critical ecosystem and wildlife habitat, a major source of irrigation, fish and other aquatic food for the communities from Benguet, to Abra and down to Ilocos Sur. The company’s Dam 5A which hold tens of thousands of toxic mining wastes is a clear and present danger to the communities along the Abra River given Lepanto’s history of dam leakage and collapse. The aforesaid destruction and risks will considerably increase Goldfields’ operation.

We will neither be cowed nor silenced by brute force and deception perpetuated by the State, Lepanto and other large-scale and destructive mining companies. We shall continue to struggle – side by side with other communities and organizations against environmental plunder and abuse for we are bound not only by our commitment for environmental security and justice but also with our divine covenant to be stewards of God’s creation. # nordis.net

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Statements: Strike back!

September 30, 2012 in Featured, human rights, opinion, statements

By MICHELLE SANTOS
Progressive Igorots for Social Action — Metro Baguio

On the September 21 Martial Law Commemoration, Progressive Igorots for Social Action (PIGSA) strongly condemns the continued political vilification of progressive youth organizations in Benguet State University and holds the BSU administration accountable. Stop this injustice and direct acts of terrorism inside the institution.

Despite the rejection of the BSU Administration to be accountable for allowing the militarization of the campus and red-tagging of progressive youth organizations in the University, PIGSA and the Salidummay cultural group shall continue its campaign to stop this injustice.

The July 11 harassment happened because the students were members of Progressive Igorots for Social Action Baguio-Benguet. It did not simply happen because they, along with two staff members of the Cordillera Youth Center, were simply having a meeting in a public area “without permit.” The protocols that the six accused students have followed under the Office of the Student Affairs were mandated because the students were members of a progressive youth organizations that have been long-time victims of political vilification in the campus.

PIGSA Baguio-Benguet, meanwhile, believes that the inquisition of the Office of the Student Affairs Director regarding the what, when and how six students have been involved with PIGSA is a mechanism to fish-out information on the organization itself. Considering that the OSA Director admitted in her recent interview with a local newspaper that there are military officers visiting the University, PIGSA Baguio-Benguet believes that the OSA Director becomes an instrument of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in vilifying PIGSA and Salidummay cultural group in the University.

Becoming an instrument for vilification is an act of terrorism. Terrorism is a violation of human rights. Violation of human rights is punishable by law.

Whereas PIGSA and Salidummay cultural group are unaccredited organizations in the University due to the Office of the Student Affairs unclear claims, that both organizations have been active in engaging the students in the fight for a higher state subsidy for education and in upholding the democratic rights of the students, faculty and other personnel in the University.

PIGSA and Salidummay cultural group are one with other youth organizations nationwide that fight for higher state subsidy for state universities and colleges to hinder tuition fee increases, such as the approved 300% ladderized tuition fee increase on Cordillera Administrative Region State Universities and Colleges. These progressive stands, in turn, seems to push the BSU Administration to brand both organizations as “maka-kaliwa,” and “leftist,” one that in their logic says that PIGSA and Salidummay are “recruiters of NPA.”

Does being a “leftist,” “progressive” or “maka-kaliwa” directly connote that of being a recruiter of the NPA? The point of the AFP’s counter-insurgency schemes is to blur the line that divides peoples’ organizations under the Philippine constitution from armed groups. The logic of the BSU Administration’s branding is an application of the AFP’s counter-insurgency program.

While PIGSA and Salidummay cultural group experience lashes of red-tagging in BSU, the democratic condition in the University is a similarly alarming case, such that some policies stated in the student handbook nullify some provisions in the Philippine Constitution. Student activities, beliefs and political orientation that are deemed “anti-administration” in the perspective of those in power are understood as offenses in the University.

Members of progressive youth organizations are persecuted and their rights to free organization are suppressed. The culture of repression is a rampant condition in BSU, legitimized under university policies and the student handbook. Alongside, the campaign to stop political vilification in the University is a campaign to uphold the democratic rights of the students, faculty and other personnel.

September 21 commemorates Martial Law in the country; during this historical time of fascism, Mac-liing Dulag, a Kalinga tribal leader, was assassinated by the Marcos Regime on April 24, 1980 because of his relentless opposition to the Chico Dam Project. Forty years after the declaration of Martial Law, progressive Igorot organizations continue to experience persecution under the Aquino Administration. Forty years after Martial Law, progressive peoples’ organizations continue to be vilified as front-liners and recruiters of the New Peoples’ Army. Forty years after Martial Law, the fight for higher state subsidy for education and democratic rights continue. Forty years after Martial Law, the struggle for self-determination and national democracy remains uncompleted.

We call for a dialogue with the BSU Administration, particularly with the Office of the Student Affairs, to stop the vilification and uphold democratic rights of the students, teachers and other personnel inside the campus.

We condemn Oplan Bayanihan, campus militarization and the systematic ways to silence youth leaders in Benguet State University.

We demand for accountability from the BSU Administration to stop the political vilification of progressive youth organizations and stop the persecution and terrorizing of youth leaders in the University.

In this light, we push the BSU Administration make a stand for the rights of the students and the people instead of becoming an instrument for the AFP’s counter-insurgency schemes.

We demand that the BSU Administration remove the “Knowing your Enemy” presentation in its ROTC and NSTP curriculum and review its university and student policies that undermine the Article III, Bill of Rights and Article XIII, Social Justice and Human Rights in the Philippine Constitution.

We call on the BSU Administration to review the approval of the 300% CARSUC tuition fee increase to be implemented by the University.

We call on the students, faculty and other personnel to make a stand against the repression experienced inside the campus.

We call on the BSU Administration to listen to the grievances of their constituents. No to Martial Law in Benguet State University! Stop the persecution of progressive youth organizations and youth leaders! Condemn Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan!

No to the 300% approved Cordillera Administrative Region State University and Colleges (CARSUC) tuition fee increase! Uphold the democratic rights of the people!
Kaigorotan, lumaban! # nordis.net

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