Pubdate: Fri, 24 Dec 2004
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Larry Madarang
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

BENGUET BOARD AGAINST LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet- Provincial Board have issued a resolution opposing 
the legalization of marijuana, which was proposed by Rep. Solomon Chungalao 
of Ifugao.

The resolution was issued during the board's regular session over the week.

The resolution's authors, Juan Nazarro and Alloysius Kato, said legalizing 
marijuana cultivation would not benefit the Cordillera region economically 
because there is no big market for the herb's medicinal use.

Chungalao said he proposed the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use 
if the national government will not do anything to provide livelihood 
opportunities for the people living in the impoverished region. Revenue 
generated for cultivating marijuana, he added, would be used for improving 
roads and developing farms and irrigation facilities in the Cordillera region.

The legalization of marijuana may be the last option left among the poverty 
stricken municipalities in the Cordillera if government's long neglect for 
their development remains, Chungalao said.

However, Nazarro and Kato said "there are other factors that affect the 
Cordilleran farmer regarding his produce, such bad or the lack of roads, 
smuggling and excessive importation of foreign products, irrigation, high 
cost of farm implements and materials, lack of financial and technological 
assistance and support, all of which need the attention of the national 
government."

"Addressing the problems and difficulties of farming and the farmer in the 
Cordillera should summon reciprocal effort and assistance between the local 
government units of the Cordilleras and the national government," they said.

Kato said that the proposal of Chungalao is retrogressive.

Kato said he was not aware of any pharmaceutical company needing marijuana 
as an ingredient for the medicines they are manufacturing in the country.

"We would like to warn farmers that the cultivation of marijuana is still 
illegal. Tthe farmers may be thinking that it is now legal to plant the 
drug, and there might be misconceptions on Chungalao's bill," the 
provincial board members said.

Both Chungalao and Kato belong to the Liberal Party.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency says the Cordillera region is the 
country's top supplier of marijuana, supplying almost 70 percent of the weed.
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