Thursday, September 20, 2007 Attempt for autonomy a learning: official
THE third attempt of Cordillera to achieve an autonomous status would be a learning process and not a repeat of the twice rejected organic acts since an autonomous status is far better than the present administrative status of the region due to greater control of resources and lesser restraint from outside forces.
National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Regional Director Juan Ngalob, who is the interim chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC), added that the autonomy movement has adopted a scientific method to determine the baseline of voter inclination on the concept of self-governance.
He pointed out that the P15 million released by Malacañang to jumpstart the third autonomy drive would be used for the holding of surveys, formal researches and capacitation of local officials on fiscal autonomy which is the foundation of political autonomy.
Results of the sampling survey, which would be followed by a series of tracking surveys, would be the RDC’s basis in formulating the strategies on how to convince the people to vote for the establishment of an autonomous region.
The formal research, on the other hand, would focus on the economic viability of an autonomous regional government, the fiscal autonomy of the local government units (LGUs) and the cultural compatibility of the people.
Ngalob explained that developing and demonstrating fiscal autonomy is already embodied in the Local Government Code, thus there is a need for local officials to fully exercise their corporate power to be financially capable without increasing and imposing new taxes on the people.
It was learned that most of the LGUs in Cordillera are over 90 percent dependent on their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share from the National Government to sustain their existence. Baguio generates over 50 percent of its expenditures from local income.
But Ngalob said local officials must forego the begging type of governance and instead utilize their own resources to generate additional income to fund the implementation of their respective priority projects and be financially independent in the future.
He added that the voter inclination is an important factor in determining as to when the region would go to Congress and seek for the passage of a new organic act suitable for the best interest of the people.
Ngalob said the experience of Cordillera in the twice rejected autonomy measures would also serve as a reference for the RDC in the formulation of new plans and programs en route to the long desired self-governance.
The 1987 Constitution provides for the establishment of autonomous regions in Cordillera and Mindanao in recognition of the distinct culture and traditions of the people in these regions. (DS)
