Cordillera autonomy once more with feelings

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P.Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – If the Regional Development Council would like to gain adherents to what it says “renewed thrust for Cordillera autonomy,” pundits are saying, it should first come clean and show to the public how the millions of funds for its so-called information drive on the matter were spent.

For almost seven years already, at least P90 million had been spent for autonomy information activities, according to an RDC primer itself. But holy cow, how were these spent? People are wondering and pundits are saying if the RDC can’t account for the moolah, what more to billions of pesos promised to the Cordillera should it become autonomous?” 

Even the Cordillera Commission on Audit had admitted that most of the funds had not been liquidated. As far as Yours Truly can remember, there was only one time that the RDC, methinks in 2011, came up with an advertisement on the matter in this paper.

The RDC and elective officials who have been allotted funds should explain how these were spent and make a detailed accounting to show to the public they are indeed, upright and committed public officials who have the best in mind for the people in forwarding autonomy, according to a self-styled pundit who is planning to make a huge issue out of this in his plans for political office next election. “No haan da maaramid dayta sinu ngay ti mamati kinya da?”

Like a former Baguio official always said, “Aramid tipakakitaan” to amusement of people who said “Pagkakitaan met a.”

The ball is now in the hands of the RDC, local government units and officials and come up with an honest to goodness accounting of these funds or people will just taunt “autonomi ti pagkakitaan,” or “intono mi ti pagkakitaan.”

Our neighbourhood philosopher says, before they even think of discussing autonomy, first on their agenda should be a report on how the autonomy information funds were spent and make a detailed accounting of these to the last centavo.

He said if officials who handled autonomy funds are intent in complying with the administration’s  “tuwid na daan,” they should start the cleansing process and bare mechanisms for transparency even if the Freedom of Information Bill is not yet being implemented.

Otherwise people will just taunt during such consultations, “Intayo maki otonom ibareng adda ipurwak da met nga itono tayo.”

Sources from the grapevine have bared even President Benigno Aquino was not keen on supporting the so-called autonomy drive of the RDC and Cordillera officials because funds allotted for information drive have not been duly liquidated , or worse --malversed.

Just a few days ago, Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan admitted during a consultation at city hall: “Only the united stand of Cordillera leaders and constituents can goad the proposed autonomy bill past Malacanang’s indifference.Cordillerans led by its officials have to deliver one message to the national government that we want autonomy.  To be united is the only way we can drive home the point and for us to be heard.”

The mayor said he felt Malacanang was not receptive to Cordillera autonomy, adding the national government appears not inclined to grant regional autonomy because it does not want to devolve its key functions and provide funds as the autonomous set-up mandates.

“That’s how I see it,” he said.  “The national government will readily reject our autonomy given the slightest of reasons and may just be looking for an escape goat to do that.  So it is important that all leaders will have one stand because if even only one of us opposes it, then they will have their way,” the mayor said.

The mayor said “despite the cold treatment and possible rejection, Cordillerans must fight for the right to autonomy as enshrined in the Constitution and this must be carried out in a peaceful way unlike the Mindanao people’s quest for a Bangsamoro region which was characterized by violence and armed struggles.”

He said armed struggle will never be an option for Cordillerans who are known as peace-loving people just to get the national government’s attention.“Getting into war may appear to be an effective means to get the needed attention from the government but let us make a difference and show them that we can attain our autonomy goal through peaceful means even if it will take us a long time to do it,” the mayor said.

Domogan who headed the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee that crafted content of the Act had sought support from President Aquino to certify as urgent  House Bill 5595 and Senate Bill 3115 or “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region” to no avail.

The President even dished out criticisms against the intent of the bill on various occasions.The autonomy bill has been refiled by Rep. Nicasio Aliping Jr. and is now being deliberated on in the committee level of the Lower House.

Domogan said Aliping informed him that congressmen who participated in initial deliberations posed no objections to the bill but stressed need for more consultations in the grassroots.

It seems Cordillera congressmen are more attuned with what their constituents want as they want more local gab on the matter.

The RDC reportedly resumed public consultations on autonomy with various sectors now pundits are asking  -- What where, when? Apay di mi naammuan? They are saying funds used for the matter should be immediately presented to the public or posted in conspicuous places for everyone to see and say – “Ah dijay gayam ti balor na jay biik nga naparti.”

And maybe, the RDC could advertise in media outlets what they are up to other than holding so-called consultations attended only by a few souls. After all it is the media which can effectively reach the audience and drive the message across on a mass basis.

The mayor said they are set to conduct a regional consultation on April 30 at a venue to be announced later. Would you know this if you are not reading this paper?

Domogan said the Autonomy Act was based on principles laid down in renewing pursuit for autonomy for the third time to establish regional identity with freedom to manage its people and natural resources, enjoy more financial benefits from the national government while retaining existing benefits and powers.

Sen.Aquilino Pimentel III who filed the Senate version of the autonomy bill said it is “in fulfilment of the Constitution's mandate to recognize the unique norms, cultural heritage, values and vision of the people of the Cordilleras through the grant of regional autonomy which seeks to promote the welfare and interests of the people living in the Cordillera who share common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures and other relevant characteristics within the framework of the Constitution.”

But like pundits are saying, the RDC should this time start on the right foot in quest for regional autonomy by being transparent and come up with an accounting of how millions of information funds were spent, “tapno met a mamati ti tattao kinyayo.” Is that too much to ask?