DOH celebrates IP month with autonomy advocacy

By Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health-Cordillera conducted a training for their staff on understanding indigenous peoples in the region to enhance their work related to health concerns among other issues.   

The training, held in commemoration of Indigenous Peoples Month in coordination with regional offices of National Economic Development Authority and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples was held at the DOH Regional Training Center on Oct. 22.

Joel Cervantes of the La Trinidad local government unit and member of the autonomy information education campaign (IEC) speaker’s bureau presented basic concepts, history, and core messages of Cordillera autonomy,

He said Cordillerans have unique a history, geography, and cultures that make it necessary for the establishment of an autonomous region.

He added that an autonomous region would provide policies that will be more appropriate to the region taking into consideration the unique characteristics of its people and terrain.

Cervantes also quelled worries regarding the administration’s push for a revision of the 1987 Constitution and shift to a federal form of government.

He said that autonomy towards federalism is the ideal direction because of the legal basis of Cordillera autonomy is in the current Constitution and Executive Order 220 by then-President Corazon Aquino.

He noted that the autonomy advocacy led to the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region and thus the establishment of regional line agencies like the DOH-CAR.

A similar event was held by DOH-CAR with NCIP and Cervantes in the DOH CAR Regional Training Center on National Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 29.

NEDA-CAR coordinated with DOH, NCIP, and regional line agencies, civil society organizations, local government units, and state universities and colleges to raise awareness and gain their support for Cordillera regional autonomy. Adopted by the Regional Development Council as its theme for Cordillera development, autonomy is seen as the best way to achieve sustainable development and just and lasting peace in the region.