Apayao execs train to push Cordi autonomy

By Marlo T. Lubguban

LUNA, Apayao -- Municipal and barangay speakers of Apayao converged here March 7 in a speakership training on Cordillera autonomy.

Apayao followed Kalinga and Ifugao wherein government officials and personnel were trained to speak and push autonomy for the region.

The NEDA-CAR oriented officials on the Regional Development Council’s roadmap for Cordillera autonomy, the salient features of the draft Cordillera Organic Act and core messages of the renewed pursuit of regional autonomy. Officials from the municipalities of Luna, Pudtol, Flora, Kabugao, and Conner propose plans for the conduct of information education campaigns as they were identified priority municipalities in the SPCAR 2019-2021 Communication Plan.

Earlier, officials from Kalinga and Ifugao committed to raise awareness on Cordillera autonomy and its benefits to Cordillerans.

The trained speakers from these provinces will conduct their own IECs in their respective municipalities.

In Kalinga, the priority areas are the component city of Tabuk, and the municipalities of Rizal, Balbalan, Pinukpuk, and Tinglayan. Ifugao priority municipalities are Banaue, Lamut, Alfonso Lista, and Kiangan.

Priority areas are determined by population and the municipalities’ awareness of Cordillera autonomy according to the 2017 pulse survey on autonomy awareness. 

The NEDA-CAR aims to raise awareness and gain support for Cordillera autonomy with the grassroots as priority.

IECs were recently conducted for the month of February in the barangays of Bauko, Mountain Province and Kibungan, Benguet where over 400 stakeholders were reached.

The NEDA-CAR coordinated with Apayao officials for the implementation of this event. 

The Apayao was the second province to vote in favor of autonomy and the only one to vote “yes” during the 1998 plebiscite.

              It is the northern-most province of the Cordillera