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. - ---