ILOCANDIA RUMBLINGS

ARTICLE FROM DEFEND ILOCOS FACEBOOK PAGE In light of the recent harassment of our Regional Coordinator by state forces, we updated and republishing this article to better understand why the government continue to exert pressure against him. We enjoin you to take a peek of this person, who is unceasingly maligned, vilified and threatened by the state and its security forces. SHERWINDE VERA, a home-grown political activist and environmental advocate of Ilocos Sur is the subject of threat, harassment and intimidation since his days as a student leader in the University of Northern Philippines (UNP). He is currently working as a researcher for Katinnulong Daguiti Umili ti Amianan, Inc. (KADUAMI) a non-government institution providing assistance to grassroots organizations in Northern Luzon. In his spare time, De Vera oversees the Ilocos Network for the Environment (DEFEND Ilocos) as its Regional Coordinator. DEFEND Ilocos is a campaign network against environmentally destructive proje

LGU Excise Tax Share for Genuine Agrarian Reform Second of three parts A glance on the Cost of Production (COP) form of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) tells a lot about the state of the tobacco industry. From start to finish, the field activities, equipment and the number of mandays employed shows a backward if not primitive production process compared to other tobacco producing countries. The feudal character of the Philippine countryside is also apparent. Landlordism and the scarcity of land in the region generate prohibitive land rent. Foreign control over our agricultural production is also evident, with majority of the chemical inputs for the crop are imported. Besides these things, the exploitative and oppressive marketing scheme also becomes undeniable when one thoroughly studies the form. Presented below the computed COP are the percentages of the different leaf classes. Based on the NTA projection, about 67% of the leaves fall under Class AA to C that commands

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor” - Anglican Archbishop Desmund Tutu - From reef to ridge and for many years, the people of Ilocos suffered from the ill effects of mining. Decades of magnetite extraction along the shorelines caused massive erosion in the provinces of La Union and Ilocos Sur. Waste from upland mining operations, especially in the Cordilleras, polluted rivers and streams. We do not need to go far to concretized these claims. The gradual death of the Abra River because of mining pollution primarily caused by the operations of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company for more than eight decades is a glaring illustration. Fast receding shoreline in Metro Vigan are distressing, dangerous and haunting legacy of magnetite extraction and the politicians who promoted and condoned the illegal and plunderous operations. Secretary Regina Lopez’s effort to clamp down on destructive mines continues to fall into nau

The Failure of Republic Acts 7171 and 8240 First of three parts The eyes and ears of almost every households in Ilocos Norte are set on the unfolding face-off between two political families in the province – the Marcoses and Fariñases. The battle for public opinion centers on the alleged misuse of P66.45 million from theprovince’s share of the Republic Act 7171 funds by Governor Imee Marcos. However, this is not the first time that allegation of misuse and corruption of the fund derived from the government’s tobacco excise tax collection hogged the national media and Congress. During the impeachment proceedings against former president Joseph Estrada, state witness and then Ilocos Sur governor Luis“Chavit” Singson claimed that he let Estrada pocket P130 million from theprovince’s share of the fund. GREEN GOLD. Tobacco, the main cash crop in Ilocos also provides a hefty income for local government from the 15% share of tobacco-producing provinces provided under Republic Ac

Zaldy Alfiler (standing in red shirt), Secretary General of STOP Exploitation explains the bases of the groups' demand for P128/kilo of dried Virginia tobacco leaves during the March 27 dialogue with the National Tobacco Administration. Alfiler said that besides the P26.00 increase for daily basic needs, the cost of production for every hectare in the region increased by an average of P2,600 in the past two years. Democracy is not something that popped out of thin air. The concept and practice of democracy evolved and continues to progress through social processes. While the development of the concept comes naturally with the advancement of human society, the contents and benefits of democracy are not readily available. The people can only claim the space for participation, criticism, and dissent it provides through organized assertion and ardent struggle. The March 27 dialogue between the tobacco farmers led by Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (Stop Exploitatio

Last February 20, peace advocates in their region, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN Ilocos) and Ilocos Human Rights Alliance (IHRA) launched the petition for the resumption of the formal peace negotiations. Representatives from the peasant, youth and religious sector joined them during the press conference for the petition. While the main purpose of the activity was to brief the press on the status of the negotiations and tap them to popularize the campaign, the group got a bonus for successfully convincing the members of the press to take steps to support the negotiations. Prior to this, four legislators from the region signed House Resolution 769 urging President Rodrigo Duterte to return to the negotiating table with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Representatives Deogracias Savellano (1st District) and Eric Singson (2nd District) of Ilocos Sur, and Pablo Ortega (1st District) and Sandra Eriguel (2nd District) of La Union were among the 10