Support for autonomy overflows on Cordillera Day
-A A +ATuesday, July 17, 2012
LEADERS of the Cordillera provinces assured their collective support on the proposed Autonomy of the region during the 25th Anniversary of CAR last Sunday held at the Convention Center in Baguio City.
Abra Representative Eustaquio Bersamin, Abra Board Member Serafin Bonnit Alzate, Apayao Representative Eleanor Begtang, Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr., Mt. Province Representative Maximo Dalog, Mt. Province Governor Leonard Mayaen, Ifugao Governor Eugene Balitang and Kalinga Acting Governor Sonny Mangaoang expressed their provinces’ full support on House Bill 5595 or known as an act on the creation of an autonomous region in Cordillera.
On the other hand, the province of Benguet is still undetermined.
Board Member Alzate proudly said Conrado Balweg, who was one of the individuals who fought for the independence of the region, hailed from their province. He encouraged everybody to join and advocate for the passage of HB 5595 in the House of Congress.
Moreover, Apayao Representative Begtang said the region has only one dream which is to become an autonomous region in the country. She assured Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan their full support. She also encouraged leaders to be united for the region to only have one position on the matter.
She further said leaders and communities should set aside their political and cultural differences in order to attain one goal.
Apayao Governor Bulut challenged everyone to be united for the advocacy on autonomy. He said efforts on the advocacy will be in vain if the people of Cordillera will not be united. He reiterated the importance of unity.
He also said we should help each other advocate for HB 5595. He hoped there will be more provinces joining the advocacy.
Mountain Province Representative Dalog said they too will support the HB 5595 and shared that the local government has been conducting several consultations in their province.
Meanwhile, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan preferred not to divulge his stand on the matter. He just said he is happy working for his co–Cordillerans.
“We, as people of Cordillera are one in terms of our culture,” he said.
Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on July 17, 2012.
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