Igorot farmers in Benguet risk lives walking on mountain edge to make a living

Members of an Igorot group in Bashoy, Kabayan, Benguet, are risking their lives walking on the edge of a mountain just to make a living.

According to “Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho,” they would carry baskets of vegetables along the edge of a mountain called “Kidungan”.

The path is so narrow that you can stand on it only one foot at a time. If the members lose their balance, they can fall from a height of more than 100 meters.

The group plants tomatoes, onions, carrots, chili peppers, and cauliflowers for a living. When it’s harvest time, they pass through Kidungan while carrying kilos of vegetables.

“Talagang natatakot ako pero talagang may tiwala ako sa Diyos na habang dumadaan doon, ginagabayan ako para hindi ako mahulog,” said Florentino, 62.

[I feel afraid but I just put my trust in the Lord whenever I go through the path. He guides me so I won't fall.]

“Minsan nahihilo at nalulula ako pag dumadaan. Tumitigil ako sa paglalakad tapos kapag okay na ulit, tuloy na naman,” he said.

[I get dizzy at times whenever I pass through. I have to stop walking and when I’m okay again, I continue.]

“Pinatitibay ko lang ’yung loob ko. Kung susuko ako, malalaglag talaga ako dun.”

[I just gather my courage. I can’t give up. If I do, I’ll fall over.]

Florentino said they had learned how to balance themselves while passing through Kidungan for their own safety.

The women harvest the vegetables while the men bring their baskets down to town.

Juvith, however, joined the men in carrying their load.

“Dito lang kami kumikita. Wala kaming ibang pagkikitaan,” she said.

[This is our only source of income. We have no other means.]

Meanwhile, Michael, 19, studied on weekdays and worked on the mountain on weekends.

But even after putting their lives on the line to pass through ‘Kidungan,’ some of the vegetables they brought cannot be sold anymore.

On that day, Lolo Florentino and Michael went home empty-handed. While Juvith bartered the cabbages for rice.

The members said there used to be a safe route on this part of the mountain. But in 2000, landslides came one after another— until the path they walked on disappeared.

They said the worst landslide happened in 2018 when Typhoon Ompong struck.

Juvith’s husband, Miguel is in charge of creating a new trail for their group.

“Titibayan ko kasi buhay namin mga nakasalalay. Hindi ko ipapahamak mga kasama ko,” he said.

[I’m making it strong because our life depends on it. I won’t cause harm to my group members.]

The Igorot group asked officials to provide safety and better access by building footbridges and other infrastructure.

“Sana makapaglaan sila ng mga footbridge na magagamit para ma-travel namin ‘yung mga gulay,” said Michael.

[We hope that they can put up a footbridge here to make it easier for us to transport our vegetables.]

The Engineering department of the LGU went to inspect the site.

Engr. Euler Daoal, a municipal engineer of Kabayan, Benguet, assured the farmers that they would try to find funding to build a safer route for them.

“Subukan nating pondohan ng munisipyo. Kung hindi munisipyo, sa provincial o sa national.”

[The municipality will try to make a budget for it. If needed, we’ll raise it to the provincial or national level.] – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News