Youth molded to respond to IP issues

YOUTH delegates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao converged to collectively ask President Rodrigo Duterte to halt the imposition of the Martial Law.

Organized by Sinag

ng Kabataang Laan para sa Bayan (SIKLAB), the delegates relayed their community stories and how the imposition of military rule affected their homes and way of life.

Mindanao delegate Yhazu Ambangan representing the Sarimanok organization said the way of life of the youth and the community has been disrupted because of the imposition of martial law in their area.

Ambangan said farming, schooling and cultural practices have also been affected, adding children have opted to stop schooling in fear of the ongoing war between government forces and rebel groups.

Visayas delegate Perigreno Dote representing the Tumandor youth said the fear of an expanded martial law is one the issues being discussed by the youth in his area.

“Hindi lang ito laban ng isang rehyion, laban ito ng lahat,” he added.

Dote said a greater understanding of the youth is being advocated in his area on issues concerning the community like the construction of dams which affect the environment as well as displacement of indigenous peoples are being faced today.

Cordillera delegate Bryan Bimmactod presenting Green Youth Ifugao echoed the calls to keep indigenous communities intact as well as to study projects being presented to villages for a greater understanding for community members, shunning a blind approval of high impact projects which directly affect the community eco system.

Siklab is an organization advocating for the participation of more youth community issues and based on their studies, the concentration of the indigenous peoples is found in the Cordilleras, while in Mindanao there are the Lumads and the Ati and Tumandok in the Visayas.

Issues of the indigenous youth are centered on education, its commercialization and lack of funding and facilities, militarization of community schools and discrimination, employment, health, culture, human rights and violence against women and children.

The training is part of the National Media and Campaign Advocacy with youth speakers from the island clusters speaking about the situation of indigenous youth with pro active measure to brings their stories across the mainstream along with the appeal to halt military rule. Maria Elena Catajan