BONLAG meets to discuss role in 2010 elections, environmental issues

by Vency D. Bulayungan

Bontoc, Mt. Province (8 August) — In an effort to attain a clean and honest elections in 2010, and to help preserve the environment, the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe (BONLAG), conducted recently a three day tongtongan (dialogue) here with the theme, “Nation building through Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs)”.

Bishop Rodolfo Beltran said that like in the past, the vicariate will actively be involved in the 2010 elections. One of the issues he said which the vicariate minimize or even eliminate is vote buying. “This has been a long problem which we are trying to address,” Beltran said.

Beltran admitted that in the past he would advise the people to accept the money given by politicians and not vote for them. However, this time he said he will advise them not to accept the money anymore. We are not retreating from this effort and we will imbibe fear to the people not to sell their votes.

On the other hand, retired Bishop Francisco Claver, who was one of the speakers, said that the people in the different BECs have a role to do in the 2010 elections. “We Christianize the culture of politics, Claver said.

Still active in his obligations and various advocacies, Claver said that BECs have big participation in nation building. “If you want to build the nation, go to the BECs. He also believes that poor people take part in nation building.

“BECs are a community of communities and we believe that a community plays a major role in social change,” Claver said. Although there is a slow change, Claver challenged the participants to act now and do their share in attaining this goal.

Meanwhile, Beltran disclosed that one of the pressing concerns that the vicariate is facing right now is environmental issues. He said that cutting of trees should be minimized because due to rampant cutting of trees, disasters such as landslides occur and the illicit activity also lessen water supply. He enjoined all sectors of society to come together and join hands in the preservation of the environment.

Participated by about 270 representatives from the 21 Mission Stations of BONLAG, Beltran described the BECs here as alive and that the tongtongan this year is very good since this is an opportunity to remind everybody in the vicariates the moves in building the nation through the BECs. “The BECs make me happy because even though they are not perfect, they are alive,” he said. (PIA-Ifugao)