By SLOAN RAMOS
www.nordis.net

BANGUED, Abra – Katribu partylist successfully held its Abra Provincial Convention Sunday, with the theme “Reppeten ti pigsa ken boses tayo. Pangabaken ti KATRIBU sadiay Kongreso! Saan a lipatan MAKABAYAN a kandidato. Baro a pulitika, itandudo!”

The convention was attended by almost 220 participants from different local government units, peoples organizations, and non-government organizations, representing 25 out of the 27 municipalities in the province. The convention was done in coordination with the provincial and local officials, led by Abra Provincial Governor Eustaquio “Takit” Bersamin and Bangued Municipal Mayor Dominic Valera.

The convention started with a discussion on the national electoral situation by Katribu partylist first nominee Beverly Longid. She discussed the importance of the coming 2010 national elections, as well as the need for strengthening the voice of indigenous peoples in Congress. Longid noted that indigenous peoples have long suffered from government neglect and lack of social services, and that it is time for the indigenous peoples to have a representative who will fight for their rights. She stated that “a true and genuine representation of our people should be placed in Congress to address the real issues we are facing, and resolutions should be made immediately to alleviate such sufferings.”

The convention continued with a discussion on the specific programs and platform that Katribu is fighting for, including the indigenous peoples right to ancestral domain and self determination; genuine land reform and food security; sufficient and suitable social services including health care, education and livelihood; the fight against destructive projects like large dams, large scale mines and large plantations; the promotion of traditional ways of natural resource management; enhancing the capacity of disaster and climate change mitigation by indigenous communities; the respect of indigenous socio-political and economic systems; and standing up for justice, human rights, and equality.

An Electoral Training and Orientation was also given by Longid with focus on the automated elections system (AES). It was noted that a lot of indigenous peoples communities in the province were not familiar with the AES given that PCOS demos were not held in hinterland areas of the province.

Longid also discussed the role of progressive partylists and candidates in the struggle for genuine change. She also said that it is also time for the people to vote for candidates that truly represent the interest of the people, including Makabayan senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza.

The Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan ( Makabayan) is a coalition of progressive partylists, of which Katribu is a member.

In the afternoon, the convention appointed the provincial coordinator of Katribu. Irene Timbreza of the Abra Human Rights was named the overall provincial coordinator. One coordinator per municipalilty and one each in the barangay was also appointed.

Participants of the convention also participated in a caravan in the streets of Bangued in time for the provincial “Kawayan Festival.”

According to Xavier Akien, regional coordinator of Katribu partylist for Northern Luzon, the convention was a success because “it made the people appreciate the role and essence of the partylist system,” as well as educating them in the automated nature of the elections. # nordis.net