The disappearance of James Balao deserves the concern of every Igorot, every Cordilleran, every person concerned about human rights and Indigenous Peoples integrity. On the celebration of Indigenous Peoples month this October or any day for that matter, calls for identifying the selfless commitment of James Balao towards justice and recognition of Indigenous Peoples rights. If you are one, you have all the reason and cause to call for James Balao’s abductors to surface him now!
James Balao, 47, writer, social activist, and indigenous peoples rights advocate, had been missing for a month now. He was reportedly kidnapped on Sept 17 by elements of the Military Intelligence Group and Intelligence Service Unit of Region 1, in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Balao graduated1981 at the University of the Philippines College Baguio with the degree BS Psychology. He was a consistent honor pupil and topped the national exam maintaining his scholarship from secondary to college at UP. He served as editor-in-chief of the official student paper, Outcrop.
The idealist and the intellectual in him, Balao involved himself in research and writing for both academic and non-government organizations. One of Balao’s major research is "The land problem of the Cordillera national minorities."
Balao had also been a researcher with the schools-related non-government organizations NGO, Cordillera Schools Group which produced resource materials on socio-economic features of the Cordillera which serve as supplementary reading materials for secondary schools, now that the indigenization of the curriculum is widely recognized. He became a member of the Philippines’ Constitutional Commission where he drafted Constitutional provisions on Indigenous Peoples' rights.
“With his vast knowledge we hope and pray that he will not be harmed and set free as soonest so he will continue his work for the upliftment of the lives of the Cordillerans”, Fr. Arthur Balao, James’ father said in his letter to the public. The Balaos are from Atok, Benguet.
James’ many researches and writings and involvement in committees and commissions related to Indigenous Peoples issues has contributed directly and or indirectly, to provisions in the 1987 Philippine Constitution on the recognition of indigenous peoples rights. In one way or another, his researches, writings and concrete involvement on indigenous peoples issues has contributed to the creation of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and land reform covering indigenous issues on ancestral domain.
He has poured his time and intellect in pushing forward the upliftment of Indigenous Peoples in policies beneficial to Igorots specially. Where NGOs only give subsistent allowances to their staff, James has opted to choose this path and work for dreams as his contribution, in one way or another, now enjoyed by Cordillerans/Igorots on the creation of structures, jobs, and opportunities for indigenous peoples of the Cordillera.
Along with other freedom loving ideologues and activists who push forward what indigenous peoples rights and justice means, his is a path which is rarely taken. His path is rare for a first child of the family to take and a family’s sacrifice to take.
It’s a sacrifice worth taking for dreams that can be achieved. For rights to be recognized. His path is extraordinary not everyone would like to take, not a materially benefiting one, for a talented and educated person who has much options to take. James’ father is correct. The knowledge of James is worth continuing.
Already a month since he disappeared, Balao cannot be reached. Nobody knows how he is except his abductors. Is he alive? How is he? Is he hurt? These are questions that need answers. For James’ abductors to kidnap him and deny him of his rights to move freely, and think they can get away from it is not taken lightly.
In news reports, military’s Northern Luzon Command Lieutenant General Isagani Cachuela urged militant groups to “file charges instead of launching propaganda campaigns” blaming them for the mysterious disappearance of Balao. The military commander tagged “search” campaigns by the Baguio-based Cordillera Peoples Alliance as “demolition campaigns” where “the accused have no chance to defend themselves.”
More in Northern Philippine Times
Monday, October 20, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
The fare hike squeeze
For my first blog post, I would like to talk about transportation hike and the travails that it is giving the commuting public. I received a text message from my niece who goes to a local college saying that the fare to nearby Bontoc, Mountain Province
GMA News
So I was feeling composed that she and her classmates will rally the drivers to bring the fare down to at least P40.00 from the former P35. Any amount that will roll the amount down from 50.00 will at least add for her allowance. What happened? I was disgusted when I came to know from some people in the sleepy town that students who attended the consultation were the ones who approved the fare hike to P50.00!
Now, now, if that is true, here are students who are still going to school , dependent from their parents and guardians for their fare and everyday needs and they have the nerve to approve an excessive fare hike. Students I know are still at their idealism and questioning stage so why the approval?
So I asked from my niece if she was one among the students who attended the consultation and came to know that she was not. That brought my irritation toned down. Nevertheless, and in what ever angle you will see it, the fare hike is excessive. An increase of 15.00 is just too much. Let us see what authorities tell about the fare increase.
The amount of P1.00 increase was approved by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Board after a presentation by the Land Transportation Franchise and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). The fare hikes came as fuel prices continues to increase 18 times for a total of 35 percent increase since January alone. With NEDA’s approval, jeepneys nationwide would now be charging P8.50 from P7.50 for the first four kilometers, plus P1.50 for every succeeding kilometer.
Reports say, for ordinary buses plying Metro Manila, the increase will be from P9 to P10 for the first five kilometers, plus P0.20 for every succeeding kilometer. For the air-conditioned buses, the increase would be computed as 20 percent of what is charged by ordinary buses. Reports said this was from P11.50 to P12.50.
For ordinary buses, the increase would be P1 for the first five kilometers on top of the existing P9 minimum fare or a new total of P10. An additional 20 centavos will be added to the existing P1.75 for every succeeding kilometer reports say.
Meantime, provincial bus operators sought a 20-centavo-per-kilometer provisional fare increase. The P0.20 adjustment will be on top of the P0.50 provisional fare increase granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in May. The provincial increase brought the fare to P2 from the previous P1.50 per kilometer.
To use the above calculation for PUJs for the Sagada-Bontoc route, I come up with a calculation at 29.50 per way. Where the increase of 15.00 brought calculation to 50.00 is something am not fully resolved with except that I see its excessive.
I come to understand that drivers and operators have to apply for a special fare in cases of a difficult terrain, higher cost of fuel, and maintenance cost. Now, if the Sagada drivers and operators will properly present their calculation to LTFRB and LTFRB consents to a P15.00 increase, then the 50.00 transportation cost would be proper and legal. Otherwise, they will be facing penalties if done directly under the spell of consultations.
While this is the case, the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations (ACTO) will join the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON) in moving for the abolition of the value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
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