23/10/2024
During the 1970s, the government planned to generate hydroelectric power by building at least four massive dams along the Chico River. The proposed dam structure would have submerged communities of farmers and displaced people from their ancestral homes.
Macli-ing Dulag was the barrio captain of the Butbut tribe in the mountain village of Bugnay in Cordillera. He expressed great opposition to the dam project along with the Cordillerans. He was also able to unify the Bontoc and Kalinga tribes, who were then engaged in land disputes, to pursue a common goal of opposing the dam project.
Kalinga and Bontoc leaders remained firm in their opposition, arguing that development should not be at cost the land where they live and work. Along with their resistance, Dulag expressed the words: “If you destroy life in your search for what you say is a good life, we question it,” “Those who need electric lights are not thinking of us who are bound to be destroyed. Should the need for electric power be a reason for our death?”
Dulag’s death in 1980 was not the end, but the beginning of a much more solidified opposition of the Cordillerans to the Chico River Dam Project. This caused the withdrawal of the World Bank, which was supposed to fund the project. Not long after, the government abandoned its plans for the dam project.
Macli-ing Dulag was a leader who fought for the rights of the Cordillerans. He sacrificed his life for our right to self-determination and freedom for future generations. Forever his cause will remain and emerge.
References:
Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation. (2023, June 5). Dulag, Macli-ing - Bantayog ng mga Bayani. Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani - Honoring Martyrs & Heroes of Martial Law. https://bantayogngmgabayani.org/bayani/macli-ing/
Thakor, H. (2022, November 20). Macliing Dulag: The Man Who Died Defending the Cordillera, Its People, and Its Lands. Counter Currents. https://countercurrents.org/2022/11/macliing-dulag-the-man-who-died-defending-the-cordillera-its-people-and-its-lands/
Worksofheart. (n.d.). The Heroes who fought martial Law: Macli-ing Dulag. Martial Law Museum. https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/martial-law-heroes-macliing-dulag/