NEDA, BSU boost autonomy awareness

CORDILLERA AUTONOMY UPDATES 

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet --  Benguet State University, National Economic Development Authority and Dept. of Socials Works and Welfare have partnered to raise autonomy awareness among BSU students during an activity entitled: “The case of autonomy towards regional identity building and its implications on self-identity and socio-political participation" on Nov. 7.

Autonomy advocates Alma Toyoken and Vladimir Cayabas discussed the basic concepts of autonomy and the Cordillera’s struggle for self-determination.

Cayabas encouraged the young to learn more about the pursuit of Cordillera autonomy as it affects not just Benguet but the whole region. He said that the Cordillera autonomy is a legacy of the region that will be passed to them and the generations to come.

Cayabas cited the 1987 Constitution as the fundamental basis of the clamor for autonomy. Cordillerans have a shared history and rich culture that calls for a self-determined governance.

The youth sector is one of the primary targets for information and education campaign of the RDC, in its advocacy of raising awareness and gaining support for Cordillera autonomy.

The RDC adopted Cordillera autonomy as the overarching theme for regional development in 2006.

The RDC and NEDA together with regional and national partners have since raised awareness, gathered support, and capacitated the region for Cordillera autonomy.  -- Marlo T. Lubguban

                

Baguio-Benguet IPs join autonomy talks

BAGUIO CITY – A consultation for the Indigenous Peoples Legislative Assembly in the Cordillera Administrative Region (IPLA-CAR) for Regional Autonomy in Benguet and Baguio City was headed by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP-CAR), and the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR). The activity was attended by around 120 indigenous peoples of Benguet and Baguio City.

This activity was a follow-through of the CAR Peace Conversations held November 2017 where participants unanimously expressed support to the House Bill B5343 however, with reservations that the proposed bill does not fully embody important issues of the Cordillera IPs in their quest for self-determination.

Provincial consultations are being held to gain grassroots support through a more inclusive process of consultation on autonomy among indigenous peoples.

“The Organic Act [HB5343] should be passed not to create positions for the politicians, not to create another layer of bureaucracy but to address and to correct all the historical and ongoing injustices and wrongdoings to the people of the Cordillera”, Department of Justice Assistant Secretary Cheryl Daytec-Yangot said.

 The consultation included a workshop for the participants to review and comment on the provisions of the house bill that directly affect the IPs. Among the participants, 32 were selected to represent the IPs of Baguio City and Benguet and to present the consultation’s results during the Regional Legislative Assembly in Baguio City on Nov. 22-24.

 Similar consultations were held in Ifugao, Apayao, Mountain Province, Abra, and Kalinga from Nov. 7-9. -- Gigi G. Estanoco

            

OPAPP leads IP talks on Cordillera autonomy 

BAGUIO CITY – The OPAPP and NCIP-CAR in coordination with NEDA-CAR, and the UNDP held a provincial legislative assembly among Baguio and Benguet Indigenous Peoples (IPs) recently in Baguio City.

This is part of a region-wide consultation among Cordilleran IPs to provide inputs and suggestions in the proposed Cordillera organic act which is being deliberated currently in the local government committees of both Houses of Congress.

After a series of provincial consultations, a regional assembly will be held in Baguio on December. Inputs from all provincial consultations will be presented during the regional assembly. It has been recalled that the same process was undertaken before the BOL was passed in which the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Indigenous-Peoples Peace Panel (OPAPP-IPPP) gathered inputs from the Bangsamoro IPs.

OPAPP-IPPP is based in Davao and led by former NCIP chair lawyer Reuben Dasay Lingating. They have helped the Bangsamoro IPs include several amendments to the BOL before it was made into law last July. Now, their team has turned their focus to the IPs of the Cordillera. IPPP is working with the Regional Development Council, through its members, NEDA-CAR and NCIP-CAR to ensure the involvement of IPs in the legislative process.

OPAPP under the leadership of Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza is advocating for Cordillera autonomy alongside the Bangsamoro. Dureza helped gain national support for the advocacy through various events and meetings. He requested Sen. Migs Zubiri to file the Senate counterpart of the bill “An Act Establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.” -- Marlo T. Lubguban

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