By Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY – Cordillera
leaders urged support to creation of the autonomous region through a manifesto
of joint support for passage of House Bill 5595 and Senate Bill 3115 that seeks
to establish an autonomous region in the Cordillera signed during the 25th
Cordillera Day celebration last July 15.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan
said majority of the governors, vice governors, mayors and vice mayors of the
76 towns, six provinces and two cities signed the
manifesto which also urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to certify the said
bills as urgent measures to speed up their approval.
“We resolutely and
steadfastly believe that Autonomy provides for us the opportunity to exercise
our fundamental and Constitutional right to self-determination and allow us to
defend, protect, conserve and develop our patrimony and cultural heritage, in
order to secure for ourselves and our posterity a region of peace and
prosperity founded on truth, freedom, justice, love and human solidarity
through a Regional Autonomous Government that shall ensure our human rights,
our human development, economic growth and our active participation as citizens
in the affairs of a united Philippine State,” the manifesto stated.
During the foundation
day program held at the Baguio Convention Center, Cordillera officials led by
Domogan, Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan, Apayao Rep. Eleanor Begtang and Gov.
Elias Bulut Jr., Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang, Mountain Province Gov. Leonard Mayaen, Kalinga Acting Gov. Allen Jesse
Mangaoang and Tabuk City Mayor FerdinanceTubban echoed the content of the
manifesto and exhorted Cordillerans to unite for the realization of the
aspiration for self-rule and self-determination.
Domogan said it is high
time for the Cordillera region to 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.
The rest of the speakers
conveyed their desire to achieve regional autonomy to preserve Cordillera’s
unique culture and enjoy all the socio-economic and political benefits deserved
by an autonomous region.
One of the highlights of
the CAR anniversary activities which centered on the theme “Looking Back with
Pride, Moving Forward with Hope,” was the beating of the “unity gong” to
showcase the region’s oneness in said aspiration.
The unity gong was
turned over to the city officials by Apayao leaders in ceremonies last July
14. Baguio was the last seat in the Cordillera Unity and Peace Relay
ceremonies which fired off in Mt. Province last May 28 to drumbeat the call for
support to autonomy in the cities and provinces comprising the CAR. Each
of the provinces and cities had their chance to host the gong during the relay
with Baguio as the final destination.
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