RDC pushes Cordi autonomy with LGU awards programs

By Susan C. Aro

BAGUIO CITY -- The Cordillera Regional Development Council is now pushing a recognition and awards program for local government units who excel in performance and valuable contribution to pursuit of Cordillera regional autonomy.

Proposed under the RDC  sectoral committee on Development Administration (DevAd), the recognition will be dubbed, “Forwarding Local Autonomy Medal of Excellence” (FLAME) to be  headed by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

DILG-Cordillera director John Castaneda said FLAME is a mechanism that gives recognition and awards to LGUs that support Cordillera autonomy in three categories: provincial or highly urbanized city; first to third class municipality or component city and fourth to sixth class municipality. 

It will serve as step that will steer better appreciation and active involvement of all LGUs in the region in advancing development for improved quality of life for the people of Cordilleras through autonomy.

Two options are being considered, a medal of excellence and project support funding incentive or only a medal of excellence pending approval of the RDC.

Apart from committing resources and support to RDC-led initiatives towards regional autonomy, part of the criteria is based on performance as to governance such as DILG awards garnered, Civil Service Commission Anti-Red Tape Act report card, Department of Budget and Management public financial management assessment, and National Nutrition Council assessment of nutrition program.

To be launched this year, FLAME will cover the period August 2014 to July 2015.Awarding  will be  July 15 next year during the Cordillera Month celebration.