EDITORIALS

Cordillera RDC’s autonomy drive lacks steam

It is a wonder why some Cordillera Regional Development Council officials lament the region was not able to attain autonomy status due to lack of information on merits of being autonomous.

It is like pointing an accusing finger at somebody when the other four fingers are pointing back at you. The success of the quest for autonomy, according to officials, lies on how the RDC in the Cordillera imparts to the people principles which are considered key elements in efforts to convince Cordillerans to agree on establishment of an autonomous region.

Indeed, why is the RDC griping that people don’t know what autonomy is all about? Why don’t members direct the question to themselves? According to Baguio Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan, the failure to approve the autonomy bid in last two plebiscites was caused by the fact that the people were not properly informed about the benefits of self-governance. Too much politics also hobbled the drive, he said.

The RDC should know that since it is now considered the main government body which is spearheading the quest for Cordillera autonomy, it should start an honest to goodness information campaign. But what does it do? It doesn’t conduct grassroots information drives on autonomy. It doesn’t advertise in the media considering that at least P15 million has been allotted for this. It doesn’t consult non-government organizations on the issue. Now the RDC is saying Cordillera constituents are ignorant about the autonomy? Who is to blame?

Domogan is saying the most important aspect of autonomy is the establishment of a regional identity for the Cordillera just like in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He said Cordillerans should be identified through their culture and traditions. Aside from creating a distinct identity for the Cordillera, Domogan said, the region, particularly local government units, should continue to enjoy the benefits and privileges granted to them by existing laws such as their share in internal revenue allotment (IRA) and taxes paid by companies utilizing and exploiting natural resources.

Domogan may have a point there considering that if the region should become autonomous, the national government should still continue to pay salaries of all employees of different departments of the national government working in the regional level.

One reason why the autonomy bid was overwhelmingly rejected in two plebiscites was fear of government workers that the regional autonomous government would not be able to pay their salaries.
According to Domogan, under the proposed autonomous setup, the national government would provide a subsidy to the regional autonomous government P10 billion the first five years and P5 billion in the succeeding five years for the development of communities.

For sure, that is a lot of money. But when there is lack of transparency on how it should be spent and is not discussed or aired by the RDC through the media or consultation with constituents, expect the people to vote No once more if the issue is subjected to a referendum.



Tackling current issues through the national press congress

IT’S all systems go for the holding of this year’s National Press Congress in Baguio City from Dec. 11-13 in observance of December as National Press Congress Month.

This was announced by Juan P. Dayang, president of the Publishers Association of the Philippines Inc. (PAPI), as he called on members of the community press to undertake meaningful observance of the occasion.

The press congress with “Media, culture, and the global crisis,” as theme will he held at Teachers’ Camp with some 700 publishers, editors, campus writers and editors, reporters, broadcasters and other media communicators in the country including some campus journalists and Filipino journalists working abroad, in attendance.

The event will discuss the role of the of the community press in the promotion of understanding regarding media’s challenges and responses on global economic meltdown, global warming and climate change.

Expected to lead the guests and speakers on the occasion is President Arroyo who made the annual gathering significant with the proclamation she issued which also cited the role of PAPI plays in upholding press freedom and the dignity of journalism and publishing profession.

The annual month-long celebration of the press congress every December is in consonance with Presidential Proclamation No. 1187 declaring December every year as the "National Press Congress Month and the Month of the Community Press in the Service of the Nation” under the auspices of PAPI, an aggrupation of more than 800 publications nationwide. The press congress is expected to produce fruitful resolutions enumerating positive point of actions for the benefit of countryside dwellers.

The Northern Philippine Times would like to welcome and extend its Christmas greetings to participants of the event.