"Although we have no money, we have food, good and simple ones on our tables."

Born in a family of farmers, Leticia knew how hard the job of a farmer is. But despite its back-breaking repetitious movement, she experienced how rewarding it is to till her land. She came to realise that one can live without money as long as one has a land from which to plant and cultivate food. This is the reason for her courage to strong stance against big institutions like the World Bank (WB) and the government when she, together with her people, were once threatened of being displaced in the guise of projects such as the Chico Dam. It was a time when their rice fields were being targeted to be transformed into flower fields and their sub-terrains where being targeted for their gold.

Leticia, along with other communities, stood collectively against the construction of development projects in their lands. From simple dialogues to protest actions and literally blocking the road and trucks with their bodies, they were able to make a strong statement how valuable their land is, and stop the machines from reaching the project site. For twenty (20) years, she did this, along with the communities, until they won. It was a monumental feat since it was the first time in history when a project of the WB and the IMF was shelved. Today, she continues to remain vigilant and campaign for their rights to land, resources and self-determination.

Nominated by:  Cordillera Women's Education Action Research Center, Inc. (CWEARC)
E-mail:  cwearc09@gmail.com
Phone No.:  +63 74 442 5347