By Carlito C. Dar
SABLAN,
Benguet -- The provincial government headed by Gov. Nestor Fongwan welcomed
here last week the Cordillera Unity Relay with the ceremonial beating of the
gong and a cañao – a native thanksgiving ritual.
Fongwan
received the unity relay gong from the
Abra delegation headed by Vice Gov. Rolando Somera.
The
Cordillera Unity Relay, which started at the historical Mt. Data Hotel in
Bauko, Mountain Province last May 28, is a major activity for the 25th
anniversary of the Cordillera
Administrative Region this July.
A
gong which serves as the unity symbol will be transferred from province to
province until it reaches Baguio City, the regional capital, for the
commemorative program on July 15.
From
Mt. Province, it moved to Abra last June
4. From Benguet, the symbolic gong will
be brought to Lagawe, Ifugao on June 18, then to Tabuk, Kalinga on June 25 and
to Luna, Apayao on July 2.
According
to Fongwan, such activity will show that Cordillerans are united in moving the
region towards development.
He
said it is apt Wwe look back to the
history of the region with pride and for all of us to work together to give
hope – for a better Cordillera and state of life for the future generations,
referring to the anniversary theme of,
“Looking back with pride, moving forward with hope.”
Fongwan
said we was willing to discuss with other governors and officials of the region
the Cordillera Regional Autonomy and Development Project (CRADP).
He added Benguet, in the pursuit of
autonomy, only wanted to ensure that its local resources, environment and
natural resources are protected as these drive the economy and development of
the province.
Fongwan
said Benguet was pushing for more income
through national wealth tax from
its natural resources such as operations
of Ambuclao, Binga dams and San Roque dams, even as he stressed the need to review the Electric
Power Industry Reform Act, Renewable Energy Act and other related local
legislation for such purpose.
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