What is the state of the struggle for autonomy in the Cordillera region?
After the passing of the act to provide autonomy for the people, there was a referendum. When the Igarot people voted on the referendum, it received support in only one area. Most of the Igarot people felt that the act did not really answer the needs of the indigenous people. For example, on the issue of ancestral land, it is still subsumed under national programs. The government can dispose of the resources on ancestral lands as it wishes. Resources on such land are still determined by the old laws. Because only one province in the region supported the referendum, the so-called autonomous area covers only that area. What area of the Philippines do you come from? I am from the Higaonon tribe in Mindanao. I used to work for the government as a clerk in northern Mindanao. The work seemed to have no meaning. So I had to find work with some meaning. I became involved in working with indigenous peoples organisations in Mindanao. I was elected to the council of the Lumad Mindanao and later w
