Filing set June: CAR congressmen to file regional autonomy bill

By Michael Umaming

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordilleran autonomy bill will be filled in Congress this June.

This, according to Baguio Rep. Nicasio Aliping who spoke during the Regional Development Council meeting here May 22.

“We should be categorical about our position on regional autonomy,” he said, addressing regional directors of the RDC.  “If someone asks your position on regional autonomy, it should be categorical Yes – daytoy ti dalan tapno agprpogreso ti Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) (This is the way towards progress for CAR.”

He said on the part of the CAR congressmen, all are united in the filing of the bill. 

On May 27, at a an RDC executive committee meeting, CAR governors and congressmen will discuss drafting of the bill at the Batasan Complex, Quezon Cityl.

“We shall consider all previous bills on autonomy and the inputs generated during the consultations conducted through the RDC, the young congressman said.  Let us all put the necessary provisions in the bill so that when it is discussed in Congress, the amendments will be by elimination,” he said.

In an earlier RDC meeting, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat said current sentiment in Congress is “tapusin natin ang Bangsamoro Framework, next ang Cordillera autonomy (let us finish Bangsamoro, Cordillera autonomy is next). But we want sabay (simultaneous), our future should not be hinged on the future of Bangsamoro.”

According to Cordillera officials, there is growing sentiment in the region that the president is not interested in Cordillera autonomy as he never even made a statement about it. Cordillera autonomy is a constitutional provision and reason behind the creation of the CAR through E.O. 220.  One of CAR’s three mandates is to prepare the region towards regional autonomy.

“We are hoping that in the President’s SONA (state of the nation address) this July, the president will mention of Cordillera regional autonomy,” Aliping said.

This, as top officials of Ifugao said they are are throwing their support to make the Cordillera autonomous.

Gov. Denis Habawel and Rep. Baguilat. said autonomy would hasten socio-economic development, progress and self-governance.

Habawel said with great potential of Ifugao, autonomy is the answer to develop its tourism potentials and make the place a tourist destination.

 “This in turn will attract investors to invest in the province thus creating more job opportunities and afford greater economic benefits to the Ifugao people,” he said.

The governor said autonomy means more subsidy from the national government and more power and benefits for Ifugao aside from present financial assistance  it is  receiving under the Local Government Code.

For his part, Baguilat, said he will pursue in Congress the  move to finally have autonomy in the Cordillera Administrative Region, as mandated under the 1987 Constitution.

 “Granting autonomy to the Cordillera is one constitutional provision that has not been fulfilled. So instead of talking about changes to the Constitution, perhaps we should first seek to fulfill the mandates of the Constitution such as Cordillera autonomy,” Baguilat said.

He said he would file another bill on Cordillera autonomy  as he believes  Cordillerans are more than ready for self-rule in deference to their long history and unique customs and traditions.

 “Now that we are addressing issues for peace and development in Mindanao through Bangsamoro, we should not forsake Cordillera autonomy  which is also driven by desire to give Cordillerans more control of their resources and their political and economic destiny as a unique people,” Baguilat said. – With a report from Marcelo Lihgawon