April 13, 2018

PRESIDENT RODRIGO DUTERTE

Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace

THRU: CHRISTOPHER GO
Special Assistant to the President

SALVADOR MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary

Beloved President:
We, coming from the different youth and student cultural organizations
throughout the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), strongly register our
opposition to the alleged appointment of a new Regional Director for the National
Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP-CAR) in the person of Daisy Lee.
We are alarmed of her alleged appointment which was covertly done away
from the consciousness of the Cordillera people. The Cordillera people particularly, us,
students and youths felt were stripped our rights to be informed and consented. We
know too well that the Regional Directorship of NCIP-CAR is not vacant and its
currently occupied by Atty. Roland Calde. We know this because NCIP-CAR, through
the directorship of Atty. Roland Calde, has a close tie with the Cordillera youth and
students, mirroring the spirit of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) on IP youth
and student’s welfare towards empowerment.
It is worth noting that it is during the Directorship of Atty. Calde when BIBAK
lot was finally reclaimed from the secessionist armed group Cordillera Peoples
Liberation Army (CPLA) after more than decade of standoff between the Cordillera
youth and students against the armed group. Now, BIBAK lot along the with the
BIMAAK hall, situated within its grounds, stand as a sanctuary of the youth and
students throughout CAR.
We fear that advent covert appointment of a new Regional Director will
impede the programs and plans which was already set in motion by the Directorship
of Atty Roland Calde; from their Educational Assistance Program (EAP) to the indigent
Cordilleran youth and students down to the development of BIBAK lot as a IP Cultural
Center for the youth and students.
We appeal before your honorable office to please retain Atty. Roland Calde
as the Regional Director for NCIP-CAR. Keeping Atty. Roland Calde as the Regional
Director would preserve programs and developments envisioned IPRA for the benefit
of the IP youth and students.
We hope this simple letter would earn your kind consideration and action
favorable to the youth and students of Cordillera.