Cordillera Day 2003

A Continuing Tradition of the Militant Mass Movement in the Cordillera

As usual, the military tried to stop it by harassing organizers and militarizing the target venue. But when the day came, there were over 3,000 persons who braved the rough roads and militarization to get to Barangay (village) Lamag, Quirino, Ilocos Sur, site of the 19^th Cordillera Day celebration.

BY AUDREY MARY BELTRAN
Bulatlat.com

They came from all over the country – the Cordilleras and Ilocandia, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog and Davao, and from all over the world – Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Germany, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium and the United States (U.S.).

The theme of this year’s solidarity gathering was “Build the Broadest Unity and Solidarity to Defend the Peoples’ Land and Resources!  Save the Abra River! Resist State Terrorism and U.S. War of Aggression!”

The two-day program focused on mining and its impact on the environment, resources, livelihood and survival of the people; the rising tribal wars and conflicts in the Cordillera; militarization and political repression against the people; the impact of globalization on agriculture and the peasantry; and the U.S. imperialist aggression and state terrorism.  

April 22

On the night of the arrival of delegates to the area, three video documentaries were shown: Aldaw Kordilyera narrated the history of Cordillera Day, Agno showed the people’s  resistance to the San Roque Dam project, and Ang Kaaway depicted state terrorism and the U.S. war of aggression.  The first two video documentaries were produced by the Cordillera Peoples Alliance in1998 and 2002 respectively.  The third was produced by the Southern Tagalog Exposure and launched on April 6.  It was screened on April 22 in Lamag, Quirino, Ilocos Sur as tribute to Eden Marcellana, Secretary General of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog and Eddie Gumanoy, chairperson of KASAMA-TK and other martyrs and victims of the ongoing militarization in Southern Tagalog.

April 23

A welcome ritual by the Lamag Council of Elders, AM-IN and the Lamag Ob-obbo Association and an ecumenical service by the Quirino Pastors Forum and the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) formally opened the Cordillera Day celebration. In the beat of Cordillera gongs and militant songs, banners of people’s organizations in attendance were unfurled. 

Sangguniang Bayan member Lukas Bukaw and Barangay Capt. Felix Dengaey delivered welcome speeches. CPA secretary general Windel Bolinget delivered the CPA opening statement and discussed the rationale of Cordillera Day in Ilocos Sur while Abe Dacanay of the Solidarity of Peasants to Oppose Exploitation (STOP-EX) discussed the current situation of the Ilocandia.  Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, who also graced the affair, pledged to support the campaign to save the Abra River.

Workshops held in the afternoon focused on the following issues :

• U.S. war of aggression and the escalating armed intervention in the Philippines

• On mining: Lepanto mining and Save the Abra River Movement

The national minerals policy and the national mining campaign

• GATT, agriculture and the peasant situation in the Cordillera and Ilocos

• Dams and water:  the status and struggle against the San Roque Dam and other dam projects in the Cordillera

• The Cordillera situation and campaigns

• Human rights assertion against militarization and GMA’s all-out war policy

• Tribal wars

• Cultural exchange

• Elections and politics of change

• Sectoral workshops for women and OFWS

The different workshop groups presented their resolutions in different cultural presentations during the latter part of the afternoon.

The evening was turned into a Quirino-Cervantes-Mankayan-Tadian night.  In songs, dances, chants and skits, CPA members described the local struggle against Lepanto mining, militarization and agricultural liberalization.

The Ilokano book Indigenous Peoples, published by the International Work Group for Indigenous affairs (IWGIA), Anthrowatch and CPA and which deals on the different experiences of the indigenous peoples all over the world, was also launched that evening.

April 24

The main day of the celebration was opened with a cultural presentation by the CPA mobile group, featuring the situation of the different democratic sectors of Ilocos and Cordillera.

Ka Rafael Mariano, chairperson of  both the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance or Bayan) and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement in the Philippines or KMP), as well as national president of the new party-list Anakpawis, delivered the keynote address.  He gave his highest salute to the people of Cordillera and Ilocos in their struggle against the basic problems of society and encouraged them to continue the fight for a just social order.

A discussion of the national situation by Ka Randall Echanes, KMP deputy secretary general, followed the keynote address. 

The reports of the different provinces in Cordillera was started with the urban report by the Tongtongan ti Umili. This was continued after lunch by the reports from Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Benguet.  Solidarity messages from the different groups from other regions and other countries were interspersed with the presentations.

The reports clearly described the strengthening of the mass movement in the Cordillera and Ilocos as the crisis in society continue to worsen.  In the unity declaration that was approved during the afternoon, the broadest unity and solidarity among the people of the Cordillera and Ilokandia in saving the Abra river and in the resistance against development aggression and state terrorism was further strengthened.

As the night set in, the highest tribute to the heroes and martyrs of the Cordillera, from Macli-ing Dulag to Isabelita del Pilar, was given.  Their names were mounted on the stage while a production to commemorate their lives and the people’s struggle was presented.  As the torches were lit, and the song “Banwar” (Hero) echoed in Lamag, the people reaffirmed their vow to continue the fight for a just and humane society.

The solidarity night capped the main celebration.  A video documentary on Pikit, North Cotabato was presented by Arkipelago Productions and human rights group Karapatan.  Delegates presented different cultural numbers, with the dancing and singing lasting up to the wee hours of the morning.

April 25

Before the delegates left Lamag, they planted tree saplings as a statement of commitment to continue the defense for land, life and the people’s resources.

As jeep and busloads of guests waved goodbye to the people of Quirino, Ilocos Sur and crossed the Abra River, it was clear that no amount of repression can stop people from attending what has now become a tradition among activists. Next year, the Cordillera Day will reach its 20^th year, itself a cause for celebration, and the people will once again pour and celebrate the victories of the people’s movement and wield the strongest unity to further advance the people’s struggle. Bulatlat.com

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* Cordillera Day was also celebrated in Belgium, Macau and Hongkong, simultaneous with the CPA-organized celebration.  On April 24, the government also held its own “Cordillera Day” at the Burnham Park in Baguio City to distract the public from the genuine celebration.

 
DECLARATION OF UNITY

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