Blogs
Philippines: 1c Pre-conference Colonial Context
Well I can say that my footprint really reflect the economy not just me but also the common people here in our country because of high demands of necessities of people in terms of wants and because of that private companies or investors forcefully get the lands of those indigenous people with their sweet promises and benefits that they will give. One good example was the cutting of trees of S.M, One of the supermalls here in the Philippines.
But in every side of it luckliy there is a group to oppose in a good way according to http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/245289/groups-protest-sm-baguio-city-s-expansion-plan/story/The SM Development Corp. is set to cut 43 fully-grown Alnus japonica trees while also intending to uproot 97 growing pine trees (Pinus kesiya) and 42 saplings virtually sentencing to death a total of 182 trees within the Luneta Hill area where SMDC is found to pave way for another parking lot,” the CEC said in its online petition. In the end major groups joined the protest. The protesters blocked two roads, including the upper Session Road, preventing vehicles from entering the SM grounds. In the end they were able to save the Forest. I believe that the power of people is very powerful as long as we are helping together, the people power has been proven here, in our country from the time of EDSA revolution and this incident
I have no bad intentions against the big companies and malls but that is the sad truth that we are choosing to gain profit or increase our wealth without knowing what the big cost will be afterwards not just for the people living there but for the environment.
Unfortunately imbalances still exist especially for the Lumads or the indigenous people
Who are recently accused of being rebels that led to killings of teachers and families. The Philippine war against insurgency has led to killings of suspected highly respected Lumad leaders.https://www.facebook.com/notes/alliance-of-concerned-teachers-philippines/press-release-ph-intl-teachers-unions-condemn-continuing-attacks-against-lumad-s/1572656066106912/
On July 26, 2017, the Education International, after receiving reports from the Alliance of Concerned Teachers on the cases of military and para-military attacks against Lumad schools, their teachers and students, called on its member unions from all countries to condemn the continuous harassment and attacks against students, teachers and human rights activists of the Lumad indigenous communities on Mindanao island.
“We reiterate our call for President Duterte to immediately retract his statement ordering the bombing of the Lumad schools and for him to prosecute the perpetrators of the attacks against the Lumad schools, teachers, students and human rights advocates. We call on President Duterte also to order the immediate arrest of the military agents and paramilitary forces involved in the murder of Emerito Samarca, Emelito Rotimas, Leonila Tapsadan and Ramon Pesadilla and to cause the unconditional release of Lumad teacher Amelia Pond.”
Teachers from the Philippines and abroad will continue to launch mass actions and mobilizations throughout the world until the right to education and to a peaceful community of our Lumad brothers and sisters are not upheld by the Philippine government,” ended Mr. Valbuena.
The people like the lumads should be given the right, rights as much as we have they deserve to be treated equally most especially they are the ones who preserve our culture or natural resources.
Hoping that soon enough the eyes and hearts of the government will be open in giving the indigenous people their rights and benefits, to treat them as one and not as rebels, hoping that someday they will get the peace that they want and what they are fighting for.
