Autonomy talks cango on while bill in Congress

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday said public consultations on the proposed creation of the Cordillera autonomous region can continue even while the bill on autonomy runs its course in Congress.

He said he will suggest this to Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan who filed a motion of reconsideration of the approval of House Bill 5595 or “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region” in the House of Representatives committee level citing the need for more consultations in the grassroots.

The mayor said he feels there is no need to ask for a reversal of the decision as consultations can be conducted while Congress ponders the next step for the bill which has just been approved by the House Committee on Local Government.

He said the new suggestions and improvements that will be gathered from the fresh rounds of consultations will not be wasted as these can still be accommodated during the period of amendment in the plenary discussion.

Domogan who headed the Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee that crafted contents of HB 5595 admitted that Cosalan’s move is a big setback in the autonomy quest considering the time factor.

“We are already pressed for time considering the proximity to the next elections and if the House committee retracts its approval or stalls action on the bill, then our timetable will be greatly affected,” the mayor who had expressed hopes that the bill will breeze through the succeeding steps, lamented.

The mayor said they are now working out the liquidation of the funds spent for the information-education campaign (IEC) earlier made to fast-track the release of the next tranche of funds for the succeeding consultations.

HB 5595 was principally authored by Baguio City Rep. Bernardo M. Vergara, Kalinga Rep. Manuel S. Agyao and Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang. Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat, Jr. and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog.

After the bill’s approval in the committee level, Domogan was preparing to form a united front to convince President Benigno S. Aquino III to certify the bill as urgent to speed up its approval in Congress before the 2013 elections.

He said the bill is expected to be referred to the House committee on finance to tackle the fiscal aspect or if not, it will be submitted for plenary discussion in the House.

“I hope Cogressman Cosalan will realize this and consider the timetable for the autonomy bill,” he said.

Domogan said the Autonomy 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.