GMA urged: Order information drive on Cordillera autonomy

BAGUIO CITY – Stakeholders and advocates for “genuine regional autonomy” in the Cordillera urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroy to order a no-nonsense information and education campaign to prepare the people for eventual self-governance.

The call was made by, among others, the Cordillera Regional Assembly, one of the three bodies tasked to prepare the groundwork for autonomy in the region.

The two others are the Cordillera Executive Board and the Cordillera Bodong Administration.
The task of preparing the region for autonomy, however, has been taken over by the Regional Development Council after the three bodies were “dissolved” when Congress refused to provide them budgets in 2001 to push through with their operations.

Some autonomy stakeholders believe time is running out on the quest for autonomy and it might again be taken over by events when the 2010 national elections are held.

Aside from Ms Arroyo, congressmen from the Cordillera have been requested to support the move for another round of plebiscite on the establishment of an autonomous region.

Juan Ngalob, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority and interim chair of the RDC said they have prepared work plans for regional autonomy and there is no need to rush things.

Based on the RDC-approved strategy, the conduct of a sampling survey is vital in determining the necessary approaches to inform the people on the real and actual benefits of an autonomous region.

The survey showed 66 percent of Cordillerans are not aware of the region’s quest for self-governance.

Advocates said an autonomous government is far better than the present set up because of lesser restraint from outside forces and greater control of the region’s resources.
The next tracking survey to be done by the RDC is slated for 2010.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the creation of autonomous regions in the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao.

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has been set up but the quest for Cordillera autonomy was twice rejected by the people because of the alleged lack of information and the questionable intent of politicians spearheading the campaign. -- Dexter A. See