Mr.
President, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, I stand
before you as a matter of collective and personal privilege and ask you this
question: what is unity in diversity?
We’ve often heard this phrase and seen it manifest in grander stages.
Often, we see triumph on the journey of the bold who say this out loud.
It is in that spirit that I call upon all of you today, Ladies and Gentlemen, to
invite you all, regardless of our different personalities and backgrounds, to
come together and be united; like the grains of rice I hold in this basket that
was gifted to me by the Manlabao Clan of the Matigsalug Tribe during the
“sawit”, the celebration of tasting the humay. The grains are of different
varieties, placed in this container, as a symbol of unity in diversity.
When we partook, it has been the most satisfying meal of my life. Perhaps
because of the starch-- the large carbohydrate polymers of glucose
molecules filling one’s hunger with quite a satisfaction. Perhaps it was the
reward that the brain expected after a long, tiring hike. Perhaps it was the
delicious, hot viand shared by everybody. Perhaps it’s all these reasons
combined that made the rice in this basket exceptional.
Ladies and Gentlemen, shouldn’t we aspire to that? To unite and become
exceptional? As we celebrate the 37th Kadayawan, we have to fill the
glaring gaps that have become wider and more persistent in these difficult
times. It’s dangerous to keep the gaps alive. I fear that the unity of the IP
communities, that which exists in Davao City, and that which remains to be
a good reason we celebrate the King of Festivals, stands on the precipice
and is threatened by the gaps that I will generously enumerate today.
1. The rampant buying and selling of Ancestral Domains has given way
to economic development but has starved the members of the IP.
2. The lack of economic opportunities for the IP members forced their
hands to sell said Ancestral Domains.
3. The violence amongst tribal members over Ancestral Domain
disputes.
4. The dimming of the culture and tradition of the tribes due to the next
generation’s disinterest to preserve and protect their Cultural
Heritage.
5. The lack of education among the tribes that’s why members are
easily deceived, misled, and deluded, resulting in their mistrust of
those who are external, making the duty of public servants extra
difficult.
6. The fact that the few trees on the slopes of Ancestral Domains
decrease water infiltration and increase water runoff, thereby
contributing to floods.
7. The lack of or the slow infrastructural development in the areas of the
IP community, which tender their way of living as difficult as the days
of their forefathers.
Ladies and gentlemen, these are difficult and pressing issues we must
solve for the sake of our IP communities, whose identity, culture, and
heritage we celebrate every August, which, in all honesty, is a proclamation
of our lack of action; of our silent observance of their plights! It is time to
unite.
As the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, I have identified key
solutions that will close these gaps. These are:
1. Providing sustainable agricultural livelihoods to the IP community so
that the members of the clan no longer need to sell their Ancestral
Domains just to get by.
2. Giving workshops and sets of training to the members so they can
learn about the improved technology of planting high-value crops on
their parcels of land.
3. Helping the members identify the right high-valued, fruit-bearing trees
to plant on the slopes of their Ancestral Domains, and then connect
them to a huge market (e.g. The Puyat variety of Durian to be
exported to China).
These efforts will have beneficial effects on each and every member of the
IP community.
1. If they stop selling their Ancestral Domains for money, the clans of
every tribal group will remain intact; their traditions and practices
preserved, and their heritage safeguarded.
2. If they learn how to plant the trees that will give them sustainable
income, there will be less runoff of water and sediments to the
lowlands, reducing flood risks and keeping each resident safe from
landslides and other similar natural disasters.
3. If they stop worrying about the food security of their tribe, they will
send their children to schools so that someday the next generation
will gain professions that bear the pride of the tribe.
In due time I will be passing a resolution to enact an ordinance entitled:
“Culture-based Strengthening of the Local Ancestral Domains
Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP) towards
Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Preservation and Livelihoods
of the Indigenous Peoples in Davao City.”
Culture. Agriculture. Environment. Economy. These are diverse committees
that must unite to be able to deliver the change that has been overdue for
the Indigenous Peoples of Davao City.
This being said, I hope to get the support of my colleagues in this chamber.
Mr. President, I would like to manifest that this privilege speech be
considered a First Reading. Thank you and good morning.
COUNCILOR MARISSA S, ABELLA
