Pinch
Well-Known Member
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.
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
Copyright: Copyright ©2001 Manila Bulletin.
Conact: MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.
Website: Manila Bulletin - The Nation's Leading Newspaper
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.
Source: Manila Bulletin Online
Copyright: Copyright ©2001 Manila Bulletin.
Conact: MIKE GUIMBATAN JR.
Website: Manila Bulletin - The Nation's Leading Newspaper
