Baguio women’s federation joins Cordi autonomy drive

BAGUIO CITY – The grassroots information and education campaign on the renewed quest for Cordillera autonomy in the city is now in full swing.

            

Aside from barangays and various groups conducting their respective gathering to discuss the issue on autonomy, the KatipanngLipingPilipina (KALIPI) or the Women’s Federation of Baguio city were briefed on the issue.

Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan explained to the over 400 KALIPI members from 75 barangays of the city the history and the benefits of self-governance.

            

“Autonomy will be the future of our children and our children’s children because they will the ones who will enjoy the fruits of the region’s economic growth once self-governance will be realized, Domogan told the women who actively took part and listened to the explanations on the advantages of an autonomous region.

            

He urged KALIPI members citywide to be strong advocates of autonomy in their respective barangays considering their influence over their family members and their colleagues being responsible individuals who greatly contribute in women empowerment which is also an important aspect of development.

           

 According to him, being united in our call for the national government to support the region’s quest for regional autonomy is a giant step towards making the central government pay its obligations to the Cordillera for neglecting its development over the past several decades and that the ultimate remedy for it to justify the allocation of more funds to the Cordillera is through the realization of the constitutional provision on the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera.

           

 Originally, Mountain Province was only classified as one province and was composed of the sub-provinces of Bontoc, Ifugao, Benguet and Kalinga-Apayao. When Republic Act (RA) 4695 or the Division Law was enacted in June 1966, Mountain Province was divided into four independent provinces with Bontoc maintaining the name of the old Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao.

            

However, when Presidential Decree (PD No. 1 was issued by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos during martial law, the Cordillera was not again given due recognition as a separate region because Mountain Province, Benguet and Abra were attached to Region I while Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao were attached to Region II.

            

Because of the aforesaid scenario, Domogan claimed autonomy advocates continued to clamor for self-governance among the Cordillera local governments until former President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 220 creating the Cordillera Administrative Region comprising of the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Baguio City when she was still exercising both executive and legislative powers under the revolutionary government.