Last April 23-May 7, three (3) student volunteers from UP Manila conducted their one-month practicum in Pinukpuk, Kalinga and in Daguioman, Abra as part of their Development Studies course.
Josh Bata, Paula Bianca Luna, and Sheena Marie Betito together with Juan Carlo Mercado, youth volunteer from National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates (NNARA), had their practicum in coordination with NNARA and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance. They wanted to get involved in the community, and understand the culture of indigenous communities.
A part of their community immersion was the gathering of data gaps of researches conducted by the Center for Development Programs in the Cordillera. Specifically, the students would contribute in finishing community profiles of the different sitios in Asibanglan (Pinukpuk), and Daguioman (Abra). Included in their community immersion was their participation in the Cordillera Day celebration held in Guinaang, Pasil, Kalinga.
After the Cordillera Day celebration, the three interns went to Asibanglan, Pinukpuk together with three CDPC staff. The students were able to interview residents from seven puroks which are located far from each other.
During their stay in the community, the students were overwhelmed by the situation of the communities. They stated that they were lucky to experience and live with the people even if in far flung communities. They also said that it was a great opportunity to experience life in a community and learn their ways of life.
After gathering sufficient data for their research in Asibanglan, Pinukpuk, the group headed for Palaquio and Daguioman, Abra. When the group was in Daguioman, they were accused as members of the New People’s Army and were detained at the municipal hall in Daguioman. Because of the incident, the group did not continue the research in Daguioman. The students and the CDPC staff were traumatized because of the incident.
The students wrote a letter stating that they are not associated with the NPA and that CDPC is a legal institution. After the incident, the group went back to Baguio City. The CDPC immediately organized a press conference to expose the incident. The students were also invited as guests in a local radio station.
Their community immersion contributed to their realization about the grave situation of far-flung communities and the government’s neglect of the basic needs of these communities. They said they learned a lot from the daily struggles of families in these communities. They promised that if they are given the chance again to go back to the far-flung Cordillera communities, they will grab the opportunity to learn some more about the people and their issues.
With the contribution and support of the students, important data for the researches were completed. The CDPC is grateful for the time, knowledge, skills and talents imparted by the students in the areas. The practicum, as a whole, made an impact on the students and to the whole community and also to the CDPC personnel’s.