Philouise’s Weblog

Panangipateg:  Cory opened changes in the Cordillera region

Philian Louise Weygan

published by Cordillera Today

August 21 is significant in Philippines history as it brings us back to significant incidents in the life of a couple –Ninoy and Cory Aquino –  who made impact in lives of  many, the Igorots and Cordillerans included. By mid 1980s the political scenario changed with the assassination of Ninoy, the snap election, the Edsa non-violent revolution, the Cory Administration, the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region and many other movements in the political scene. It is reawakening memories of the past, millions mourned when President Cory was laid down to her final resting place on this earth. And within the same month, we remember the death of Ninoy, people will consider this significant enough to awaken the memories and emotions of the 1980s.

We were not isolated from these changes as some of us –  friends, and family, were immersed, and affected due to these events. The sudden change in the national scene had greatly affected the Cordillera region with the creation of the different bodies that was supposed to give meaning to the administration and respond to the concerns of the region. How they conducted themselves is a different matter for discussion. These events were only made possible after a “sipat” between Conrado Balweg and President Cory in Mount Data. The Sipat signifies the process of a peace pact of the people and government.

During  mid- 1980s  well meaning people who shared similar aspirations and ideals, converged into different organizations. It was then when I became part of the Association of young Igorot Professionals (AYIP), Upland Growth through Basic Opportunities (UGBO) Cordillera News Agency (CNA) and similar coalitions  for the region and for Baguio City concerns. It was like a sudden upsurge of non-government organizations after decades of being suppressed so much so that some friends became part of the underground movement.

With these organizations I was able to travel deep into the region for medical dental missions, environmental assessment and concerns, children and women programs, peace advocacy and other concerns. Earlier before the autonomy referendum, I became part of an UGBO research on the Cordillera Life systems which was published serialized in the Philippine Daily Inquirer as a backgrounder on the Cordillera Autonomy. That involvement in the also brought me to be based in Bontoc for five years when we established the BSBT Foundation,Inc as an SR of BSBT and the Upland Development Institute as a spin away organization of AYIP. I left Bontoc in 1995 with a very rich experience having worked among our people in Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and Benguet. It was only when I came back in 2000 that my Abra roots were connected through a research on the peace pact.

I believe the changes that happened in the National scene brought about by the incidents happening in the lives of Ninoy and Cory made things possible for the civil society to become a movement and for common people, like us to be part of that movement. Those life changing incidents, many of us may never have experienced what it freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, two of the cherished freedom suppressed by the Martial law days.

But despite the changes it did not stop armed groups to harass and intimidate people who were working for the communities. In two separate but related incidents we were harassed along the Bontoc-Tinglayan road by elements of the CPLA which similarly were being integrated as CAFGU. Likewise, in a seemingly peaceful town of Sabangan, we were harassed by the Municipal police because of the use of two way radios. In those occasions, the peace pact holders and the Provincial military command were those who we turn to for them to take control of these situations. At one time we have to get hold of Ka Ambo. Peace pacts were nearly broken, as I would make sure that during these travels I would be with a Binodngan for safe passage into the villages.  BSBT Foundation Inc. was instrumental in bringing in the two way radio system in the Mountain Province. We coordinated the training and licensing from  NTI and  we organized the pioneering group named “Tokwifi communications Inc.” composed of business, government and church people. These freedom and dialogue were only made possible because of restored democracy.

From Wikipedia : Maria Corazon “Cory” Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino was the 11th President of the Philippines and the “Icon of Philippine Democracy”, serving from 1986 to 1992. She was the first female president of the Philippines and the first female president of any country in Asia.

And the day of reckoning comes, cherish those things we hold dear,  remembering what triggers the blast of actions, the catalyst that made changes and the enriching lives we now have because these gems to treasure. We treasure you President Cory, we will remember Ninoy!

(August 21, 2009)