Malibcong, Abra: Renewed solidarity in the 21st Cordillera Day celebrations

The 21st Cordillera Day celebration in the homeland of the Gubang Tribe in Bangilo, Buanao, Malibcong, Abra from April 22 to 25 was a historic event for the renewal of national solidarity and affirmation of indigenous peoples rights across the country based on their common aspiration for self determination and the recognition of their collective right to land and resources.
With the theme “Fight Destructive Mining and Intensified Militarization” the celebration focused on the impact of corporate mining to indigenous peoples and their ancestral land and livelihood resources. It underscored the worsening human rights violations against indigenous peoples as a consequence of intensified militarization and massive military operations in the Cordillera meant to suppress the growing community protests against destructive projects and the advancement of indigenous peoples movement in the Cordillera.
Over 5,000 delegates attended the celebration, with delegates from grassroots and sectoral organizations from the provinces in the Cordillera, indigenous peoples from the different regions of the Philippines, representatives of national organizations and advocates based in Metro Manila and indigenous peoples and friends from Taiwan, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Germany, and the United States of America.
The Chairperson of the host organization TADEK (Takderan Aywanan Daga, Ekolohiya, Kultura), Buanao Barangay Captain and the Mayor of Malibcong warmly welcomed the delegates with their messages and sharing of their historic struggles. This year’s celebration drew lessons from their heroic resistance against the depredations of a logging company Cellophil Resources Corporation during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, and their continuing unity for the defense of their ancestral territory in the face of continued militarization, historic government neglect, and marginalized condition.
Speeches, solidarity messages, cultural presentations and exchanges filled the celebrations. Workshop resolutions on various issues and concerns affecting indigenous peoples and democratic sectors were presented and passed by the assembly, which included issues on mining, human rights and paralegal orientation, alternative energy development, agriculture and food security, the Cordillera situation, destructive and small-scale mining, cultural exchange and heritage campaign, elders, forestry and related laws and programs, migrant and Overseas Filipino Workers, water and dams issues, and a children’s workshop. The national socio-economic crisis was also tackled to underscore the issues affecting IPs. A petition upholding and asserting the principle and basic right of indigenous peoples on free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) was also signed.
Congressman Joel Virador of Bayan Muna partylist highlighted the key issues on the economic and political developments in the country, and focused on mining, intensified militarization and heightened political repression in the country today, pointing out that government neglect of IPs was evident in the roads leading to the community. Delegates passed through a dangerous, very rough and narrow road for six hours from the provincial town center to the remote Bangilo community. Vehicles from the provincial center cannot reach the area during rainy season. Thus, the people need to walk for six hours, hauling their goods, just to get home. Virador said this is where the government should allocate the national budget, adding that Bayan Muna has filed a bill which calls for the scrapping of Presidential Decree 1177 that automatically allots 40 % of the national budget to debt servicing.
The National Situation of Indigenous Peoples and Challenges was discussed by the Spokesperson of KAMP (Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan sa Pilipinas), followed by cultural presentations of Cordillera provinces which dealt on major updates of their issues and actions undertaken to address their problems which were integrated into the updated Cordillera Situation.
Just after nightfall of April 24, the tribute to Cordillera martyrs and heroes was held with the Bangilo martyrs properly cited. The night was kept alive by cultural events, beating of gongs and chants that reverberated the call to fight for the defense of ancestral land, livelihood, resources and national patrimony as well as the assertion of their human rights and collective rights against intensified militarization and political repression. To continue what their martyrs and heroes have fought for, they remain steadfast in their struggle for self determination, national freedom, peace and democracy.
Thousands of delegates left the venue in the morning of April 25 back to their provinces, regions and countries carrying with them a refreshed inspiration to persevere in the struggle and advocacy of indigenous peoples rights and human rights.
The Cordillera Peoples Alliance extends its gratitude to all those who made contributions to the celebration of Cordillera Day and to all participants who made this gathering a memorable and historic event. # Windel Bolinget