Pubdate: Sat, 28 May 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Mike Guimbatan, JR

BUILD A ROAD, AND WE'LL STOP PLANTING MARIJUANA - VILLAGERS

TINOC, Ifugao - Villagers of this remote Ifugao town belittled the
marijuana-eradication drive of the government but offered to become partners
in the anti-illegal drug operation of the government if a road is built to
cut across a few remaining kilometers to connect the municipality to the
nearest provincial road of Ifugao.

Last May 21, Chief Supt. Noe Wong, Cordillera regional police director, led
the torching of marijuana plants and seedlings worth some R229 million at
sitio Mulam, barangay Ahin, Tinoc.

Barangay officials and elders admitted they are helpless in preventing
farmers from intercropping marijuana with corn and other crops because
production of fruits and vegetables in abundant quantity would only rot if
it fails to reach the market on time due to the lack of road.

Some people reported to Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao that they are no
longer excited in participating in the ceremonial burning even if it was
declared the biggest marijuana haul in the region.

A village elder said they have yet to wait for concrete solutions as
promised in 2002 when similar volume of marijuana was burned by President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the same place. But the elder said they can still
do something to prevent the planting of the illegal plant if alternative
livelihood activities are provided to them.

Local officials led by Congressman Chungalao said that the same
accomplishment reports may be published every year but there is no other way
to convince the people from not planting marijuana except to open the road
and provide alternative livelihood.

The marijuana uprooting and burning on May 17-20 was done in five of nine
identified plantation sites all situated at sitio Ahin, Tinoc, Ifugao.

Police Cordillera Regional Director Wong said that some 6.5 hectares of
plantation area have already been cleared of marijuana, the biggest haul so
far in marijuana eradication.

As in most marijuana clearing operations, nobody was apprehended.

Congressman Chungalao, reacting to the comments of the elders, said, "what
can I say it is reality. We can only stop (marijuana propagation) if and
when we are able to open the road they are asking."

Chungalao said he was able to cut some portions using his priority
development funds but it is not sufficient to complete the project.

Last year, the Ifugao congressman found himself at the limelight when he
convinced presidential son, Congressman Mickey Arroyo, to co-sponsor a
planned bill that would regulate the propagation of marijuana for medical
purposes. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh