P-Noy, top nat’lexecs urged: Hasten Cordillera autonomy

 ‘Vote for politicians who espouse cause’

QUEZON CITY -- President Aquino, Congress and members of the judiciary were urged by delegates to a national conference here to speed up creation of Cordillera Autonomous Region saying this was needed to spur the region to economic, cultural and social progress. 

The Regional Development Council of the Cordillera Administrative Region conducted the conference Wednesday on Cordillera autonomy “with a national perspective” at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center, Cubao. 

The conference dubbed “The National Conference: A National Step to an Autonomous Cordillera” sought to bring advocacy of Cordillera to the national level with high profile speakers headlining the conference including Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Cordillera congressmen Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao, Maximo Dalog of Mountain Province and Nicasio  Aliping Jr. of Baguio City.

Speakers included Abra Gov. EustaquioBersamin, chair of the Cordillera RDC and Natural Economic Development Authority-CAR Regional Director Milagros Rimando. Also present during the conference were La Trinidad, Benguet Mayor Edna Tabanda and Tadian, Mountain Province Mayor Anthony Wooden who called for more consultations on autonomy.

The conference sought “to engage the national bodies and forces in this meaningful cause with the hope of harnessing a wider support so that the common vision and dream of autonomy will come to fruition very soon,” said a RDC-CAR statement.

Officials of national government agencies such as Congress, judiciary, civil organizations, business sector executives and Cordillera leaders and elders attended the conference. Cordillera regional line agency directors who attended were Danilo E. Dequito, CESO 3 of Highways; Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan, Health and Helen Tibaldo of Philippine Information Agency.   

“The national conference specifically aimed to engage national bodies and relevant sectors from other regions to rally behind their advocacy and help come up with realistic measures toward the passage of a pertinent Organic Act. It is the belief that this one major national step will spur a national alliance to help realize the common vision of an Autonomous Cordillera for our future generations,” the RDC-CAR said.

According to RDC-CAR, the people of Cordillera still have to define the substance of autonomy that will fully put to practice their vision of having control over their institutions, economy and affairs.

Burt during the event, Dalog said House Bill 4649, which proposed mechanics of Cordillera Regional Autonomy for a third Organic Act was “dead in the water” during the 16th Congress considering that elections would be held may next year and the long Christmas Season is just around the corner.

He said the 17th Congress may restudy the bill.

Escudero said autonomy for the Cordillera was a noble purpose but more consultations should be done to educate the people so that when the Organic Act is put to a vote, people would approve it this time.

He said the Philippine Constitution mandated creation of a Cordillera and Muslim autonomous regions only, in response to a question that once Cordillera autonomy is granted, it would create a bandwagon among other regions who would also clamor for autonomy after this becomes a success. 

Two Organic Acts were earlier put to a vote in the Cordillera through a plebiscite but these were rejected.

Proposals were made during the conference to hasten creation of a Cordillera Autonomous Region.

These included voting for national and local officials who were supportive of autonomy and conduct of more information dissemination on the matter in the grassroots level.

Ben Conde, a local official of Kapangan, Benguet said people would converge during such occasions if the government would allot lunch or butcher a pig.  

Delegates also said information campaign could be done in schools. Baguilat said there was a great possibility the next Organic Act would be approved in a plebiscite if the youth sector is targeted during consultations or educational fora as they comprise huge voting populace.

Rimando said the RDC-CAR is targeting the youth, farmers, church and other sectors as advocates for autonomy.

She added information dissemination would be intensified and the RDC would meet soon to discuss new strategies in detail.   

Among others, the use of movie stars or icons to promote autonomy was also suggested during the conference.

A group from the University of the Philippines, during the event, made a draft declaration to hasten Cordillera autonomy.

The RDC-CAR partnered with Metro Manila-based Quality Education Providers to serve as conference facilitators.

The Baguio City National High School cultural group provided intermission numbers featuring Cordillera indigenous dances. – Alfred Dizon