Draft autonomy act being finalized; next step mulled

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The draft working document of the Third Autonomy Act is now being finalized after consultations for its refinement were wrapped up last week.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the committee on style of the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee (TAADC) will again undertake the tedious process of collating the outputs from the series of deliberations, integrating the agreed concepts and ideas and polishing the entire draft.

He said the finalized version will then be taken up with the seven Congressmen representing the provinces and one city that compose the Cordillera Administrative Region to further improve the draft.

After this process, the Regional Development Council will urge the different provinces and the city to pass resolutions to urge their representatives to file the bill for the approval of the third Organic Act.

The mayor expressed hopes that all the officials will unite to support the third attempt for regional autonomy.

“The key to the success of this aspiration is our unity and cooperation as people of the Cordillera. It will be disadvantageous if one leader will not support our (cause),” he said.

He also urged the people to do their share.

“Let us take this issue seriously and let us involve ourselves because if we waste this opportunity then there is no one to blame but us,” he said.

The mayor said draft act was based on the principles laid down in renewing the pursuit for autonomy for the third time which is for the Cordillera region to finally establish a permanent regional identity where it will have freedom to manage its people and natural resources, enjoy more financial benefits from the national government while retaining the existing benefits and powers presently being enjoyed.