Gov't consults Cordilleran IPs on socio-economic reform pact with NDF

Lacub, Abra, Apr. 27 – While preparations for the discussions on substantive agenda are underway, the GPH panel is set to consult indigenous peoples (IP) of the Cordillera today on drafting the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-economic Reforms (CASER) with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Representatives from both the GPH and NDF panel will be present in the joint peace consultation organized by the Cordillera Peoples' Alliance and Katribu Partylist.

Panel member Ednar Dayanghirang, who himself is an IP from Mindanao, will engage various IP groups, from Apayao, Kalinga, Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province in a dialogue as part of the government’s effort “to know the pulse of the public on what kind of reforms they want for their country.” Joining him are Fr. Albert Alejo, member of the CASER Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC), and Jimid Mansayagan, GPH consultant for IP concerns.

“This is in response to the need to bring-in the voice of our stakeholders, especially the marginalized sectors, in the negotiating table,” Dayanghirang stated.

CASER is one of the three key agreements that the government seeks to complete with the CPP-NPA-NDF within a period of 18 months to three years.

Dayanghirang, who chairs the government Reciprocal Working Committee (RWC) on CASER, emphasized that CASER is central to the peace process as it intends to address strategic and critical issues that drive conflict. “These include poverty, poor delivery of basic services, exploitation of indigenous peoples, unemployment, inequitable distribution of wealth, among others.”

He added that the GPH peace panel will be holding focus group discussions among different sectors until May 6, and regional consultations in July.

Also present in the joint consultation are Rafael Baylosis, NDF CASER member; and Beverly Longid, NDF IP Resource Person.

To date, both parties have already started discussions on CASER and have scheduled three bilateral meetings in June and August.

The GPH-NDF joint peace consultation coincides with the 27th Cordillera Day on April 26-27 in Buneg in Lacub town.

Hosted by the Cordillera People’s Alliance Abra Chapter, the Cordillera Day has been an annual tradition affirming the Cordillera people’s unity in defending their ancestral domain, and collective struggle for self-determination.

This year, the celebration focuses on burning issues, such as mining, militarization, human rights violations and genuine regional autonomy.#