Palace declares holiday in Cordillera on July 16

MALACAÑANG recently declared July 16, Monday, as a special non-working holiday in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., with the authority of President Benigno Aquino III, issued Proclamation 391 declaring special non-working holiday in lieu of the July 15 Foundation Day of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

“It is fitting and proper that the people of the Cordillera Administrative Region be given full opportunity to celebrate and participate in the occasion with proper ceremonies,” Ochoa said.

CAR was established by virtue of Executive Order 220 issued by the late President Corazon Aquino last July 15, 1987, that included Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao and annexed the province of Abra as part of the region giving it an administrative status as part of her political compromise to the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army, a former rebel group, which declared the “sipat” or cessation of hostilities with the government through the Mt. Data Peace Accord.

A month-long set of activities was organized by the Regional Development Council to celebrate the 25th year anniversary of the region’s founding this month with the theme “CAR at 25: Looking back with pride, moving forward with hope.”

A formal program attended by various stakeholders from the government and private sector from the Cordillera provinces will be held on July 15, Sunday, at the Baguio Convention Center with Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas as keynote speaker. (JM Agreda)