Autonomy highlights 25th Cordillera Day fete

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – The 25th Cordillera Day celebration from July 14-16 will aim to “propel unwavering commitment and support to the pursuit of Cordillera autonomy.”

Mayor Mauricio Domogan on Wednesday said one of the highlights of the celebration will be the signing of a manifesto of support to the clamor for autonomy by all the officials of the Cordillera provinces and city.

 “As one of the goals of this year’s celebration, we hope to drum up more support to the quest for autonomy which is practically the main reason why we have this Cordillera Day celebration,” the mayor said.

He said the autonomy act or House Bill 5595 entitled “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region” which is currently being studied in the House of Representatives committee level has been widely received during the Congress-Regional Development Council (RDC) information-education campaign (IEC) conducted in the provinces and city.

 “It goes to show that if we continue to enlighten them with the intents and purposes of the bill, many people will support the autonomy so we will continue to reach out to the people through the IEC campaigns,” the mayor said.

The Cordillera Day celebration will focus on the theme, “CAR at 25: Looking Back with Pride, Moving Forward with Hope.”

Activities prepared by the RDC chaired by Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac began last May with the Cordillera Unity Relay ceremonial activities which fired off in Mt. Province and later in Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Apayao. 

The relay will end in Baguio with the ceremonial turn-over of the unity gongs by the Apayao officials to city heads at Tiptop, Ambuklao Road on July 14 at 1 p.m..

This will be followed by the signing of the manifesto of support to Cordillera autonomy and signing of tourism alliance among Cordillera leaders at the Pines View Hotel along Kisad Road.

Program proper on July 15 will begin with the opening ritual by local government units at 7 a.m. to be followed by a parade and street dance at 8 a.m. to follow the following route: Upper Session Road-Maharlika-Harrisson Road-Melvin Jones Grandstand-Baguio Convention Center where the commemorative program will be conducted.

Dept. of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Manuel Roxas and Senator Juan Ponce Enrile have been invited to keynote the program.

Other activities: July 5-6: Coffee  Fiesta, BSU; July 12: Cordillera Autonomy: Challenges, Opportunities and its Governance, Azalea Residences; July 13: Stage Play “Inabel Ina” and “Maiden Tears”, BSU; Essay Writing Contest (Elementary Level) Oration Contest (High School Level) Extemporaneous Speech (Tertiary Level), BCNHS Multipurpose; July 14: Cordillera Broadway, 4:00-6:00 p.m., SLU CCA; Fashion Show Featuring Cordillera Designers, 7 p.m., SM City Baguio; July 15.

Others: Ribbon Cutting for the trade exhibit (before the Cordillera Day Program); Trade Exhibit/ Fair; Wellness Clinic; Jobs Fair and Career Forum; Diskwento Caravan; Sounds and Rhythms of the Cordillera and Fellowship, all at the Baguio Convention Center; July 16: Local Government Units’ Recognition Day, BCC; Free Police Clearance Processing (Regionwide); July 17-19: Summit on Health and Wellness, Supreme Hotel; July 18: Tree Planting (Regionwide); Seminar on Mediation Techniques (Culture-based), Community Organizing and Public Speaking, PRO-Cor Log Cabin; July 29: BSU Essay Writing Contest – Elem, HS, College, BSU; July 31: Cordillera Month Closing, BCC.