LOCAL leaders reiterated the call for Cordillera Administrative Region’s (CAR) bid for autonomy.
During the celebration of the region’s 33rd founding anniversary on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, guest speaker Agriculture Secretary William Dar said it has been 33 years since then-president Corazon Aquino signed Executive Order no. 220 creating CAR, However, after the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao attained autonomy, a bill for CAR’s autonomy has yet to be passed by Congress.
Themed “One Resilient Cordillera Embracing the New Normal towards Recovery,” a limited number of guests attended the celebration at the University of the Philippines Baguio to conform to new normal guidelines on gatherings.
Two Organic Acts for an autonomous region were enacted for Cordillera back in 1990 and 1998 but was rejected in the two plebiscites.
Dar said although both plebiscites failed, it did not discourage another attempt of leaders in the Cordillera for another bid for the autonomy of the region.
In a virtual message, Mountain Province Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr. disclosed House Bill 5687 was filed in Congress last year backed by Cordillera representatives.
“The quest for autonomy continues, as many areas in the Cordillera remain underdeveloped. Autonomy shall serve as a foundation upon which the people of Cordillera shall be empowered to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth, through the management, protection and development of their natural and human resources, and the promotion of the rights and culture of the Cordilleran people,” added the bill introduced by Representatives Jose Sto. Niño Bernos (Abra), Elias Bulut Jr. (Apayao), Solomon Chungalao (Ifugao), Maximo Dalog Jr. (Mt. Province), Allen Jesse Mangaoang (Kalinga) and late Nestor Fongwan Sr. (Benguet) and Baguio Representative Mark Go.
According to Dalog, Cordillera autonomy is an effective option to provide the region the needed foundation to pursue sustainable development “as we all hope to benefit from the management and use of our own natural resources.”
Reiterating their call to the quest for autonomy is Mountain Province Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr., who said legislators at the provincial and municipal level have all passed resolution supporting the bill for Cordillera autonomy.
“To correct the discrimination against the Igorots and Indigenous Peoples, we support. So that the plans and programs of the region will fill the needs of our region and for the particular needs of the region to be addressed,” said the governor, citing it will also be good if President Rodrigo Duterte would certify the bill as urgent and priority bill.
Kalinga Governor Ferdinand Tubban assured Kalinga’s support to the quest and continue the aspirations of the Cordillerans in the past calling for autonomy.
“The cry for Autonomy still echoes. Our 1987 constitution mentioned Article 10 section 5 that there should be autonomous regions in ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and CAR. The BARMM finally had their autonomy last year, when will be our time?” The governor said.
Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said once autonomy is achieved, the region will be able to respond to every distinct need and concern of its constituents more precisely.
On the same day, he also declared that the city of Baguio fully supports Cordillera autonomy with the condition that its local chief executives will give a commitment for all to exercise good governance, transparency in the management of financial resources and genuine leadership.
Dar said the continued campaign for CAR’s autonomy led by the Regional Development Council was enriched by the previous attempts through the RDCs enhanced information education campaign and support activities, thus, the awareness of CAR autonomy increased to 60 percent from the 35 percent in 2008.
The DA official added more are in favor of autonomy as shown in the latest survey in 2019 according to the National Economic Development Authority- CAR.
“For the first time in history all provincial and city government including the private sector throughout the Cordilleras filed resolutions of support for Cordilleran autonomy,” said Dar.
He added the resolutions have been forwarded to RDC-CAR and Office of the President for information, guidance and favorable action for the sentiments of the local folks.
Dar said uniting the villages, barangays, municipalities, and provinces, conceptions, and vision of autonomy into one that is reciprocally and generally binding contributes and empowers the Cordillerans quest for autonomy.
The Cordillera region is composed of six provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province including Baguio City.