Cordillera Day 2010
By Fr. Rex Reyes Jr.
Secretary-General
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Cordillera Day has a face — the face of Macliing Dulag. In his time Macliing Dulag personified the resistance of the lgorots to the Philippines systematic destruction of the forests and rivers of the Cordilleras in name of profit and development and without regard to the welfare of the Igorots and the ecological consequences of such destruction.
The resistance was not for resistance's sake. It was neither a resistance against development nor progress. It was a principled stand in favor of a development process that favors the empowerment of marginalized communities in this country. It was in favor of respecting the rights of indigenous peoples enabling them to be conscious of those rights, and giving them the opportunity to responsibly exercise those rights of citizens of this republic.
Deep in the consciousness of indigenous peoples is the reverence for the land and all that is in it and upon it. "Land is life!" is not a mere slogan. It is an affirmation of the unmistakeable relationship among human beings and between human beings and the land. It also affirms that the land and its resources are to be used with a deep sense of responsibility for the welfare of future generations. Thus, land and its resources cannot be seen mainly from a commercial perspective.
Today, the political structure of our country wantonly and continuously abandons this reverence for land and resources. In insisting that globalization and foreign investments are the way to economic progress, our government has acquiesced to the impositions of foreign business thereby compromising seriously the posterity of this country. Globalization stymies local industry as local production is no match to the mass production of other countries. We need only to see what is happening to the vegetable industry in the Cordilleras. The present dispensation hos gained notoriety for foreign investments that have become avenues for corruption.
Cordillera Day is all about change for the better and that includes systematic change in government. Cordillera Day is a time to send the message to the powers-that- be that we, the indigenous people and the rest of the people of this country deserve better. For too long we have suffered deceit and marginalization. For too long, promises of politicians have remained promises. We deserve a government which does not allow its people to work abroad under harsh conditions. We deserve a government that places premium and with clear platforms on education, health, agrarian reform, housing, decent wages and the rights of indigenous peoples!
We deserve a government that does not label principled dissent as terrorism, engage in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances! We deserve a government that goes for principled peace process to resolve the long civil strife that has claimed the lives of women, children and foot—soldiers! We deserve a governmenf that is not corrupt!
We cannot leave the future of this country to politicians alone, much less to politicians who are accountable only to themselves, their families and their friends.
Cordillera Day is all about celebration. It is a celebration of the hope that is now turning to reality. The efforts of those before us to make us proud of who we are is something to celebrate. Their untiring labor to bring about critical thinking and vigilance among us is something to celebrate. The emergence of a new breed of principled politicians and credible party list groups is something to celebrate. Principled and credible because they serve the people and have been maligned and vilified for doing so.
Cordillera Day has a face — it is the face of every Igorot who loves peace and justice, freedom and abundant life for all. It is the face of every Igorot who resists those who would trade our birthrights for a pair of shoes. It is the face of every Igorot very much concerned with the welfare of future generations and who is not afraid to declare: "WE ARE THE STEWARDS OF THE LAND!"
From the National Council of Churches in The Philippines, accept our warm greetings and solidarity!
Padi Rex RB Reyes, Jr.
Sangguniang Pambansa ng mga Simbahan sa Pilipinas/
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
