Cordillera congressmen endorse draft EO to make special region

BAGUIO CITY – All Cordillera congressmen have endorsed a draft executive order of the Regional Development Council to make Cordillera a special region.

RDC vice-chairperson Milagros Rimando bared this even as moves to make the region autonomous had suffered setback since constituents are not too keen on it.

Cordillera congressmen include Ronald Cosalan of Benguet, Nicasio Aliping Jr., Baguio; Teodoro Baguilat, Ifugao;Laurence Wacnang, Kalinga; Maximo Dalog, Mountain Province and Begtang of Apayao. 

“The draft executive order will advance the autonomy pursuit of the region, not derail it,” said Rimando during their meeting here Feb 11.

The meeting was held to address issues on whether the draft EO, as reportedly suggested by President Aquino, means giving up on making Cordillera Administrative Region autonomous.

Rimando, also Cordillera Economic and Development Authority director  said the draft executive order entitled “Accelerating the economic growth and social development of the Cordillera Administrative Region and enhancing its social preparation towards autonomy,”  would strengthen status of CAR as a special region as it continues its pursuit for autonomy.

Rimando said if enacted, additional funds to the region would accelerate economic growth and development of the Cordillera

The funds would be aside from Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) allotment provided to local government units including allocations provided through regional line agencies.

She said it highlights Section 22 of EO 220 which provides that CAR and its LGUs shall, “as part of the BIR allotment to the region, have at least 50 percent share in taxes and other government revenues generated in the region’s territorial coverage.”  

This section of EO 220 has not been implemented since 1987 when the order was issued by then President Corazon Aquino.

To date, all Cordillera congressmen and governors have endorsed the draft EO. 

Cosalan updated the RDC on their request for House Speaker Sonny Belmonte to arrange a meeting with President Aquino so they, together with the Speaker, can personally give the draft EO to him.