OPAPP pushes Cordillera autonomy as nat’l agenda

By Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY – The Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) is committed to push regional autonomy for the Cordillera as a national agenda.

This was revealed by OPAPP director Susanna Marcaida in a courtesy call Jan. 25, to Regional Development Council vice-chair and National Economic Development Authority regional director Milagros Rimando.. The office recently changed leadership after the courtesy resignation of Cordillera autonomy supporter, former Sec. Jesus Dureza November 2018.

The new Peace chief Ret. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. plans to reorganize the OPAPP giving attention to the Bangsamoro autonomy pursuit. "It doesn't mean that we stop what we are doing for the Cordillera," Marcaida said.

OPAPP had been advocating Cordillera autonomy and had been a major partner of NEDA-CAR in events such as the Cordillera indigenous peoples’ legislative assembly, Cordillera leaders' meeting with senators, Cordillera autonomy pioneers’ summit in Mt. Data Hotel, the Congressional forum on Cordillera autonomy and federalism, and the Am-among Di Cordillera including convergence for Cordillera autonomy which coincided with the 32nd anniversary of the sipat peace pact between the Philippine government and Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army.

Aside from the autonomy advocacy, OPAPP continues helping conflict-affected and conflict-vulnerable areas through their various PAMANA projects.

These projects led by OPAPP and done in partnership with various local government units and regional line agencies have helped the overall regional development of the region.

Rimando and Marcaida discussed plans to engage Galvez’s support in the coming months on matters of regional development, peace and order concerns of the region

The lead planning agency of the region is hopeful for the continued support of OPAPP as the region prepares for the 18th Congress, the improved Cordillera organic act, and the pursuit of regional development through autonomy.