Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas. Photo courtesy of PNA.
BAGUIO CITY – Leaders of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on Wednesday called on residents to unite behind the region’s bid for autonomy during the kickoff of the 39th Cordillera Month celebration in Benguet.
Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan urged the public to actively support the proposed Cordillera Organic Act, which remains pending in Congress.
“Let us make it our constitutional obligation and help deliver to the national government that we are in unison for autonomy,” Domogan said.
He noted that the Cordillera is the only region, aside from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, specifically provided in the 1987 Constitution to attain autonomous status.
Domogan also appealed to local chief executives, regional directors of national government agencies, and members of Congress to intensify efforts to gain Malacañang’s support for the measure.
He stressed the need for residents to understand what autonomy means and be able to explain its benefits.
House Bill No. 6981, which seeks to convert the Cordillera from an administrative region into an autonomous region, is currently pending before the House Committee on Local Government. The Cordillera was created as an administrative region through Executive Order No. 220 signed by former President Corazon Aquino on July 15, 1987.
Apayao Gov. Elias Bulut Jr., chair of the Regional Development Council, renewed the region’s commitment to autonomy.
“After four decades of pursuing autonomy, we renew our commitment to attaining our autonomous status. We must sustain the momentum and continue to amplify our clamor,” he said.
Benguet Gov. Melchor Diclas paid tribute to past leaders, elders, advocates, and institutions who kept the campaign alive.
“The journey toward regional autonomy may be long and challenging, but it is a journey we must continue together,” he said.
Benguet is hosting this year’s Cordillera Month celebration.
Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog Jr. described autonomy as a necessity, saying the region’s unique cultural identity requires policies and decisions that reflect local traditions and realities.
Abra Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin and Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, represented by their vice governors, also expressed support for the autonomy campaign.
Kalinga Gov. James Edduba and Ifugao Gov. Jerry Dalipog said the pursuit of autonomy strengthens regional unity while honoring the ancestors who fought to preserve the Cordillera’s identity.
Party-list Rep. Kenneth Tereng, represented by his chief of staff, said autonomy would ensure that decisions affecting the Cordillera are made by the Cordillera people.
Meanwhile, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap expressed hope that the Senate would approve a bill declaring July 15 of every year a special non-working holiday in observance of Cordillera Day.
“The proposal to recognize a day in the calendar is an affirmation of who we are as a people. The celebration of Cordillera Day and the clamor for autonomy are inseparable,” Yap said.
Regional leaders continue to conduct information campaigns and other activities to raise public awareness about autonomy, which they say would enable the Cordillera to exercise greater control over its natural resources and pursue development based on its own priorities. (PNA)