Cordi RDC sets reorganization in push for regional autonomy

 Rep Go airs support 

BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Development and Peace and Order councils in a recent meeting honored their outgoing members as they prepared for reorganization of the two top regional bodies to push regional autonomy.

In recognition of their contributions to Cordillera development, outgoing RDC chairman, former Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, and sectoral committee chairs and co-chairs were presented with tokens of appreciation during the joint meeting. 

Major accomplishments of the 2016-2019 Council included setting the region’s development direction through the Regional Development Plan 2017-2022, advancement of the region’s coffee industry through the Coffee Development Plan, identification of poverty-stricken areas in the region through the Social Convergence Program, fast-tracking of the Minahang Bayan process and improvement of trade and connectivity by supporting the Tourism Road Infrastructure Program (TRIP) and Roads Leveraging Linkages for Industry and Trade (ROLL IT) convergence projects.

A press release from the regional National Economic Development Authority bared this saying the RDC-CAR also pursued Cordillera autonomy in accordance with Section 15 Article X of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Through the Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) program, the RDC continues to raise awareness, gain support, and capacitate Cordillerans for Cordillera autonomy, the press release said.  

Under the leadership of Domogan, the RDC reportedly engaged the Office of the President and both Houses of the 16th and 17th Congress for support to Cordillera’s pursuit of regional autonomy.

With the support of local government units, regional line agencies and its private sector representatives, the RDC reportedly engaged Cordillerans down to the grassroots sector to support regional autonomy.

The RDC is the highest policy-making body in the region. It coordinates and sets the direction for social and economic development in the region.

It also leads in the renewed pursuit of Cordillera autonomy which aims to enhance Cordilleran identity, formulate responsive policies, and attain progress for all Cordillerans.

As secretariat of the RDC and home of the SPCAR Program, NEDA-CAR reportedly aims to continue coordinating with government, public and private groups to push regional autonomy.

The RDC is set to meet new members from the newly-elected local chief executives and private sector representatives on August 8. 

The RDC’s reorganization coincides with the 3-year terms of the local chief executives and the RDC private sector representatives.   

This, as Imelda Sedano, chief of staff of Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, said the latter bared his commitment to pursue Cordillera regional autonomy during the 32nd anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region celebration at the Baguio City Hall on July 13.

Cordillera regional autonomy has been a long struggle of the region. Overtaken by the 2019 elections and the federalism movement, the most recent draft autonomy bill, HB 5343 commissioned by the RDC and filed during the 17th congress, failed to pass the second reading.

As the 18th Congress commenced, Sedano cited Go’s support to push autonomy advocacy. 

Sedano cited their participation in the Indigenous Peoples’ Legislative Assembly in Baguio last December 2018 where Cordillera Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) leaders and representatives crafted their own recommendations for the autonomy bill then-pending in the 17th Congress.

She cited Go’s observation on the pursuit of regional autonomy, recognizing that the lack of information and unity which caused the failed ratification of the two plebiscites in 1990 and 1998 is no longer true today. – With a report from Zhaira Kate L. Chinayo, NEDA- SPCAR