‘Cordillera autonomy needs attention as Bangsamoro’

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Monday expressed hopes that the Cordillerans’ bid to establish an autonomous region will get the same attention and priority from the national government as the Mindanao people’s quest for a Bangsamoro region.

           

“I hope that our clamor for autonomy will also be given proper attention and that we will not have to resort to violence just to gain that attention,” the mayor war

           

The mayor said armed struggle will never be an option for Cordillerans who are known as peace-loving people.

           

“Many are joking now about war being an effective means to catch attention but let us make a difference and show them that we can attain our autonomy goal through peaceful means,” the mayor said.

 Domogan who headed the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee that crafted the content of the act has been seeking support from President Benigno S. Aquino III to certify as urgent House Bill 5595 and Senate Bill 3115 or “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region.”

           

 The mayor said majority of the governors, vice governors, mayors and vice mayors of the 76 towns, six provinces and two cities signed the manifesto of joint support for the passage of said bills  which also urges the President to certify the said bills as urgent measures to speed up their approval.

           

The mayor also bared the results of the latest survey on autonomy conducted in the seven areas as part the on-going information-education campaign (IEC) being conducted by the Regional Development Council. 

                

The results said 40.8 percent of the respondents agreed that there is a need for autonomy and therefore support it while 24.2 percent do not see the need for autonomy and 18.9 percent are undecided and 16.1 percent are not aware.

  

 Among the areas, Apayao registered the highest number of positive responses with 58.5 percent with 13.9 percent disagreeing, 14.5 percent undecided and 13 percent unaware.

           

In Kalinga, 47.2 percent agreed there is a need while 20 percent said no, 21.5 percent undecided and 11.3 unaware.

                

Ifugao had 43 percent autonomy supporters, 23.2 opposition, 14 percent undecided and 19.8 unaware.

                

Abra had 41.5-23.1-14.8-20.6 percentages of yes-no-undecided-unaware votes followed by Benguet with 40.3-26-20.3-13.3; and Baguio with 39.7-24.9-21.1-14.2. 

In Mt. Province, autonomy lost in votes with 31.9 saying no while 24.2 said yes and 23.7 undecided and 20.3 unaware.

                

Judging from these results, there is a big possibility or chance of ratification now than in the past,” the mayor said.