Pubdate: Fri, 29 Apr 2005
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Ramon Dacawi
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

Cordillera On My Mind

CARROT AND MARIJUANA STICK

Rep. Solomon Chunga-lao of Ifugao got the flak late last year for
broaching the idea of filing a bill to legalize the cultivation of
marijuana. Actually, he did not file a bill, but was only thinking out
loud about it. Before he could explain, the critics were firing at him
and his idea. Some members of the Ifugao and Benguet provincial
councils even came up with resolutions opposing the nonexistent bill.

But recently, vegetable farmers in Benguet told agriculture officials
they would be forced to shift to marijuana cultivation should the
government decide to import carrots from China. They picketed public
consultations on the planned importation of carrots and demanded
nullification of the government's pest risk analysis that would have
paved the way for carrot importation and the displacement of thousands
of Igorot farmers dependent on temperate vegetable farming for survival.

The protest by the Benguet farmers is rare and, therefore, encouraging
and refreshing. For years, organizers have been trying to convince
them that collective action is the key to their improving their lot.
Until the threat of carrot importation, many of the farmers were
reluctant to organize, resigned to bear the whims of the seasons and
the schemes of price traders and farm input producers.

Year in and year out, hard work was their only way of coping with
middlemen and "kotong" cops on the road to the market, as if these
human nuisance were as natural as typhoons and pests.

With the support of Benguet leaders and experts from the Benguet State
University, the suddenly demonstrative farmers temporarily got the
reprieve they wanted. The bilateral-trade agreement has been put on
hold until the Bureau of Plant Industry reviews its pest risk analysis
on Chinese carrots.

This after experts from the BSU presented their own analysis,
explaining that they identified 12 pests in Chinese carrots. They said
two of the pests are highly dangerous, and that the country of ours is
in no technological position to control them should they be introduced
through carrot importation. Suddenly, the farmers realized they can
have a voice and can be a force, even if victory is far from sight.

Unlike the farmers, however, Chungalao got no support because he was
misunderstood. He was stopped the moment he opened his mouth. The
truth was that, in broaching the idea of legalizing marijuana
cultivation, Chungalao was actually trying to drive home the same
point the farmers raised in their demonstrations, which is to seek
greater national government attention to the plight of the Cordillera
people.

His problem was of presentation. The farmers were direct in saying
they would resort to marijuana production just to survive if carrot
importation would be approved. Chungalao's announcement of his thought
about filing a bill legalizing marijuana production was also taken
within that simple context.

"If only they read between the lines," Chungalao told local newsmen
after the controversy. He said the critics, who pictured him in a
"pot" session or planting cannabis sativa on the Ifugao rice terraces,
missed the point that most people being arrested and imprisoned for
marijuana cultivation are from the Cordillera.

Poverty drove some Cordillera farmers to marijuana production because
it is a high-value crop compared with cabbage, beans and carrots.
Production will continue as long as the Cordillera remain poor and
undeveloped while their resources, such as water and mineral deposits,
are being harnessed to further develop other parts of the country.

For whatever its worth, Chungalao explained that if he would file such
bill, marijuana production would be on a limited scale, restricted and
closely monitored and only for scientific and medical purposes.

I can read between the lines. With their experience, some of our
Cordillera brothers are the most competitive and qualified to produce
quality marijuana for scientific and medical purposes.
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