College Editors Guild of the Philippines - Cordillera

OPINYON | Pagtatanim ay Hindi Biro

Magdaan man ang dekada ng iba’t ibang pamumuno at mukha ng estado, nanatili pa rin sa kasadlakan ang kalagayan ng usaping agrikultura at lupa. Patuloy ang pang-aagrabyado sa mga magsasaka, walang kasarinlan sa pagtatanim, at paglaganap ng paghihirap sa sitwasyong mapanggipit dulot ng mga sistema at batas ng pamahalaan. Kung kaya sa buhay ng lupa, hindi lamang halaman ang maaaring sumibol dahil gayundin ang armadong pakikibaka na naglalayong umugat sa problemang hindi makapagbigay ng totoong reporma at kalayaan.

Noong 1988, nilagdaan ang Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) upang masolusyunan ang kawalan ng lupa na maaaring tamnan ng mga magsasakang pinapakain ang bansa. Layon nito na ipamahagi ang lupang nasa kamay ng mga panginoong maylupa upang magkaroon ng kakayahan ang mga maliliit na magsasaka na malayang makapamuhay. Ngunit ilang dekada man ang lumipas, hindi pa rin masaksihan ng mga magsasaka na tumubo ang kanilang tanim sa ipinangakong lupa kagaya ng sitwasyon sa Hacienda Luisita. Ayon sa ulat ng Altermidya noong 2024, nagkaroon ng kautusan ang Korte Suprema noong 2012 na ipamahagi na ang hacienda ngunit 2354 hektarya ng lupa pa rin ang nakatengga. Batid ng kalagayang ito na kahit bigyan ng batas ang lupa, hindi pa rin ito mapupunta sa kamay ng kaniyang tunay na tagabungkal.

Hindi lamang nakakulong ang mahirap na sitwasyon ng mga magsasaka sa iisang komunidad dahil nangyayari rin ito sa ibang parte ng bansa. Ang mga magsasaka ng tubo sa Negros ay iniulat na sila ay sumasahod ng P100-200 sa isang araw. Maituturing na barya lamang ang kanilang kinikita batay sa katotohanan ng presyo ng mga produkto sa kasalukuyang panahon. Ayon sa mga tala noong 2023, ang antas ng kahirapan ng mga Pilipinong magsasaka ay nasa 27%. Bumaba man ito ng 2.9% mula sa tala noong 2021, nananatili pa rin sila sa taas ng pambansang antas ng kahirapan na 15.5%. Ang mga datos na ito ay ang reyalidad at buhay ng mga magsasaka na sabay nilang pinapasan sa nagugutom na bansa.

Ang sitwasyon sa ibang parte ng Pilipinas ukol sa pagsasaka ay hindi nalalayo sa sitwasyon na mayroon ang Hilagang Luzon, lalo na sa kasalukuyang usapin sa presyo ng langis at gasolina. Ayon sa Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP), ang gastos sa irigasyon ng to***co ay umabot na sa P19,818 mula P7,488 kada hektarya. Samantalang ang gastos sa irigasyon ng palay nagtaas mula P2,880 hanggang P7,622 kada hektarya. Nagresulta ito sa karagdagang P287 sa arawang gastusin, halos katumbas ng karaniwang kita ng mga magsasaka na P318 isa isang araw. Dahil sa mataas na gastos sa transportasyon at paggawa kaysa kinikita, patuloy ang pagtapon ng gulay ang mga magsasaka ng Benguet. Nagkakahalaga ng P18-20 ang produksyon ng isang kilo ng repolyo, samantalang bumababa ang presyo nito sa pamilihan sa tatlong piso kada kilo. Halos wala ng naiuuwing kita ang mga magsasaka pagkatapos mabayaran ang gastos sa gasolina at paghahakot ng kanilang ani. Kahit saang parte man ng bansa magpunta, walang solusyon ang mangyaring makita mula sa pabayang sistema.

Bunsod ng lumalaganap na suliranin patungkol sa agrikultura na hindi tinutugunan ng estado, umusbong ang armadong pakikibaka upang magbigay ng sagot. Dulot ng patuloy na tensyon ng gobyerno at lupa, umusbong ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB), ang armadong sangay ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP). Ang BHB ang pumunta sa kanayunan at nakipamuhay sa mga magsasaka kung saan sila ang nagtanggol sa lupang kinakamkam. Sa looob ng lagpas na limang dekada, sila ang nakipagtunggali sa militar ng estado na naglalayong panatiliin ang kawalan ng lupa, kahirapan, at inhustisya ng mga magsasaka.

Hindi lingid sa kaalaman ng isa na ang pagtangan ng armas ay isang malaking gampanin dahil kaakibat nito ang kakayahang magbigay at kumuha ng buhay. Ngunit sa haba ng panahon na mga magsasaka ang nasa dulo ng bala, pinili ng BHB ang humawak ng armas upang mapaglaban ang kanilang karapatan. Sa tagumpay na kanilang ipinaglalaban, binibigyan nila ng kalayaan ang mga magsasaka upang makapagtanim sa lupang sa umpisa pa lamang ay kanila na. Tinutugunan nila ang pamamasista ng gobyerno nang mata sa mata, ngipin sa ngipin, at bala sa bala. Kaya kung titimbangin, ang ugat ng kanilang armadong pakikibaka ay hindi biro at base sa kanilang simpleng pagpapasya ngunit sa nananalaytay na bunga ng isang estadong puno ng inhustisya.

Pinupunan ng armadong pakikibaka ang kakulangan at kalabisan ng mga pekeng batas at sistema hinggil sa kalagayan ng lupa at mga magsasaka. Sa isang lupa kung saan hindi lamang halaman ang itinatanim kung hindi pati bala, namumulaklak ang isang pakikibaka na naglalayong bigyang buhay ang pilit na sinusupil. At hangga’t ang lupa ay hindi nagiging malaya, hindi matatapos ang pagprotekta sa pamamagitan ng pagsibol bala.

Sulat ni Lance Panlaqui mula sa mula sa Pagtalinaedan: Northern Luzon Student Press Convention

HARVEST HIGH, PRICES LOW. Local farmers unload crates of vegetables at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post in Benguet on May 30, 2026. Despite a good harvest, low market prices reduce expected income.

Kuha ni Iska mula sa mula sa Pagtalinaedan: Northern Luzon Student Press Convention

The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) Cordillera and the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Cordillera stand in solidarity with the BA Communication students of the University of the Philippines Baguio and support the calls for the protection of student welfare, and above all, strengthening of pro-student academic policies.

As detailed in the statement recently released by the UP Baguio University Student Council, several students from the College of Arts and Communication encountered difficulties in the completion of their internship requirements after being terminated by their initial internship placement despite already rendering substantial hours of work. It was also noted that the affected students collectively petitioned for consideration and sought permission to complete their requirements through alternative placements, demonstrating their willingness to fulfill academic obligations despite circumstances beyond their control. Nevertheless, students reportedly received failing grades despite their efforts to continue and complete their internship requirements through another media institution.

These concerns raised by the USC underscore the importance of having clear, transparent, and consistent internship guidelines that provide sufficient safeguards, accountability mechanisms, and protections for students. We echo their position that internship programs must remain productive avenues for learning and professional development rather than become sources of undue hardship for students striving to complete their academic requirements.

More broadly, this situation also reflects long-standing concerns repeatedly raised by students regarding unclear and inconsistent academic policies. From enrollment procedures to elective offerings and internship requirements, students have consistently called for transparency and consistency in the academic curriculum within the college. Thus, the recurrence of these concerns points not merely to isolated incidents but to deeper structural issues that require urgent attention.

Much of the distress experienced by students could have been prevented through proactive policy streamlining, effective communication systems, and genuine transparency between academic units, college administrations, and the student body. Where ambiguities exist, institutions have the responsibility to address them before students bear the consequences.

Universities can uphold academic standards without abandoning compassion. Excellence and empathy are not contradictory principles; they are complementary responsibilities of institutions committed to genuine education.

In this regard, NUSP Cordillera and CEGP Cordillera join the call of the UP Baguio community for the Department of Communication and all concerned university authorities to exercise academic compassion in resolving this matter, recognize the legitimate concerns raised by the affected students, and undertake a comprehensive review of academic policies to ensure that similar situations do not recur. We urge all concerned parties to work toward a fair resolution that prioritizes student welfare, above all.

Uphold student welfare. Uphold academic compassion. Students deserve better!

Congratulations to the winners of the recently concluded PAGTALINAEDAN: Northern Luzon Student Press Conference!

The Top 5 entries in each category and medium are recognized for their outstanding performance.

Note: In some categories, the judges intentionally recognized fewer than five winners because they found that not all entries met the standards for recognition.

Continue sharpening your craft and write journalism that serves the people and amplifies their voices. Congratulations once again!

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | The Earthline named Finalist in Inaugural Reg'l Excellence in Journalism Awards

The Earthline, the official student publication of Kalinga State University (KSU), has been named a Top 9 finalist for the 1st Gawad James Balao for Excellence in Journalism. The distinction was conferred on May 31, 2026, during the PAGTALINAEDAN: Northern Luzon Student Press Convention.

Organized by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), the award recognizes student publications that demonstrate an unwavering commitment to truth, democracy, and social change. According to the nomination letter and certificate, The Earthline was selected for its outstanding distinction in advancing the rights and welfare of the press, the studentry, and the Filipino people while upholding the highest ideals of principled, people-oriented journalism.

The award is named after James Balao, a journalist-activist forcibly disappeared in 2008 whose legacy symbolizes the ongoing struggle for press freedom. In an official email communication, CEGP congratulated the publication on its milestone achievement, concluding with the guild's guiding principle, "To Write is Already To Choose."

👍 Facebook: KSU-The Earthline
📸 Instagram: ksu_theearthline
✉️ Email: [email protected]

TIGNAN: Nagsumite ngayong araw, Hunyo 1, ang Balatoc Indigenous Concerned Group ng petisyon at community resolution laban sa Makilala Mining Company sa National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Kalinga.

Matapos ang isinagawang eksplorasyon ng Makilala Mining Company noong nakaraang taon na pinahintulutan ng NCIP, nakatakda naman nitong simulan ang operasyon ngayong taon. Gayunman, mariing tinututulan ng komunidad ng Balatoc ang ipinagkaloob na Mining Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA) at Certification Precondition na ipinagkaloob sa kumpanysa sa kadahilang may paglabag ito sa proseso ng Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines, through its regional chapter Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Cordillera, hereby confers the First Gawad James Balao for Excellence in Journalism to The MARIAN, the official student publication of Saint Mary's University.

This award honors the legacy of James Balao, who was a journalist-activist forcibly disappeared in 2008, and was the former Editor-in-Chief of the UP Baguio Outcrop. As a founding member of the Cordillera People's Alliance for the Defense of Ancestral Domain and for Self-Determination, Balao dedicated his life to advancing the rights and aspirations of the people of the Cordillera and Northern Luzon. His disappearance remains among the many cases of impunity against activists, organizers, and journalists in the country.

The Guild recognizes The Marian for embodying the highest standards of integrity, excellence, courage, and dedication to journalism in Northern Luzon. Their fearless coverage of the struggle of the community of Bitnong, Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya demonstrated the true place of campus journalism; not in detached observation, but alongside the Filipino masses in their pursuit of justice, dignity, and self-determination.

Through its consistent and incisive reporting on the resistance against Woggle Corporation, The Marian elevated the campaign for the defense of life, land, and resources. Their releases exposed the systemic roots of displacement and exploitation of peasant and indigenous communities brought about by large-scale foreign corporations, imperialist plunder, fake agrarian reforms, corruption, and aggressive development projects. By covering the lived realities of those at the forefront of these struggles, the publication transformed local issues into matters of broader public concern.

The publication's commitment to people-oriented journalism was further exemplified through the release of its magazine, Balitok, which powerfully affirmed that the land belongs to the people who nurture it—that the land is life, and that the land itself lives through the communities that defend it. In chronicling the people's resistance, The Marian demonstrated journalism's capacity not only to inform but also to amplify the voices of those whose stories are too often marginalized.

Through their work, the publication reminds us that victories won by the people are forged both in the barricades of mass struggle and in the realm of public discourse, where media organizations are propagandists that expose injustice, challenge dominant narratives, and advance the people's aspirations through principled and courageous journalism.

For its unwavering commitment to ethical and people-oriented journalism, investigative and fearless reporting, meaningful community engagement, social relevance, and significant contributions to the advancement of campus and community journalism, The Marian stands as a model of what a student publication can achieve when it places truth and public service at the center of its work. The Marian stands as a testament that campus publications are not mere chroniclers of events, but active participants in shaping a more just and humane society, carrying forward the enduring legacy of James Balao.

The legacy of James Balao did not end with his enforced disappearance in 2008. It endures in every journalist, publication, and people's media organization that continues the struggle for truth, accountability, and self-determination. His life remains a testament to the inseparable relationship between journalism and social transformation—a legacy carried forward by publications that refuse silence in the face of oppression and steadfastly stand with the people in their collective pursuit of justice and liberation.

Through the Gawad James Balao, this recognition serves not merely as a distinction but as a challenge to uphold the highest traditions of campus journalism that is free and freeing.

Given this 31st day of May 2026.

NOW HAPPENING: The first-ever Pagtalinaedan: Northern Luzon Student Press Convention has officially commenced, bringing together over 30 student publications from across Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera, and the Ilocos Region in a collective stand for life and sovereignty. The convention features keynote addresses from people’s economist Sonny Africa and veteran journalist Inday Espina-Varona.

During the opening program, participants also launched the campaign to Free the Cordillera 8 and Free Makoy, the former chairperson of CEGP Baguio-Benguet and a former Editorial Board member of the Saint Louis University's White and Blue, in a show of solidarity with journalists, student activists, and advocates facing political repression.

PAGTALINAEDAN IS NEOWWWW

Our MS Teams Video Conference starts at 9:00 AM. Kindly check your email for the meeting link.
See you later, mga peryodista ng Amianan!

Sumulong, Sumulat, Manindigan, Magmulat!

1 DAY TO GO! Kita-kits, mga peryodista ng Amianan! ✊🖋️

Quick reminders: The guidelines, program, and videoconference link for the convention have already been sent to your respective emails. Please check your inboxes, including your spam folders, to make sure you receive all important announcements.

Due to the overwhelming number of participants, the convention will be held via MS Teams instead of Zoom. To ensure a smooth experience throughout the two-day online convention, please prepare the necessary requirements beforehand, such as a stable internet connection and the MS Teams application.

As we count down to the convention, we also want to hear from you! What is your favorite article that you’ve written for your school paper? Maybe we’ll get to read or discuss them during the workshop proper!

Let’s make this convention meaningful, engaging, and enjoyable together. See you all!