Baguio top in pushing Cordillera autonomy

RDC confers medal of excellence

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY   The Regional Development Council has conferred to the city government here the FLAME (Forwarding Local Autonomy Medal of Excellence) award during the recently concluded Cordillera Month celebrations.

Baguio was awarded champion in the Flame Awards in category I, provinces and highly urbanized city category while Benguet Province represented by Gov. Nestor Fongwan came in 1st place.

Mountain Province was also a finalist. 

In category 2, component cities category 1st to 3rd class municipalities, La Trinidad and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao both received special awards.

In category 3, 4th to 6th class municipalities, Sta. Marcela, Apayao and Tublay, Benguet also received special awards.

The awardees were given trophies while awardees in category 1 were given the medal of Excellence and a set of gongs.

The awards were conferred by Sen. Aquilino  Koko  Pimentel, Abra Governor Eustaquio Bersamin, Apayao Governor Elias Bulut, Jr. and NEDA regional director Milagros Rimando during the 28th Cordillera Month Celebrations culminating program in Luna, Apayao last July 15.

Meantime, Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan said,” There is need to adjust the timetable for the quest for regional autonomy which is targeted by 2019. But the information campaign for regional autonomy should go on.”  

The quest for a Cordillera Autonomous Region should not die down, Mayor Mauricio Domogan told advocates here, saying they should continue information campaign on regional autonomy to reach more Cordillerans. 

Domogan, a staunch advocate of Cordillera autonomy said permanent regional identity and development were needed to boost livelihood of constituents. 

During his recent State of the City Address, he said” The city remains the undisputed champion basing from 3-point criteria in forwarding Cordillera autonomy.”

These include recognition of local government units  efforts towards good governance, LGU support to Regional Development Council initiatives and advocacies on regional development, autonomy and participation in RDC-led activities.