RDC to push Cordillera autonomy this 2021

Autonomy Update

Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY – The executive committee of the Cordillera Regional Development Council approved the Social Preparation of Cordillera Administrative Region into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) project list for 2021 during its meeting on Jan. 29.
    With an increased focus on alternative modes of communication, the regional autonomy advoccy program remains focused on raising awareness and gaining support of the grassroots.
    The year 2020 obliged the program to adapt its activities to health guidelines and protocols. This has been a major influence in the evaluation of proposals and implementation planning of this year’s projects.
    The SPCAR program recommended 13[SMMC1] [MATL2] [MATL3]  out of 14 project proposals for adoption. These were evaluated during the January 18 SPCAR project review an inter-agency technical working group.
    Grassroots IECs following health protocols were approved to be conducted in Bangued, Lagangilang, and [SMMC4] Peñarrubia, in Abra, Pudtol and Luna in Apayao and in the seven municipalities of Kalinga. Further,
Grassroots IEC that started earlier shall continue in the municipalities of Tinglayan in Kalinga, in Lamut, Alfonso Lista, & Kiangan in Ifugao and in Sagada, Mountain Province.
    On the national stage, the program will continue to work with the CAR congressmen towards the passing of proposed laws all seeking to establish the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera. Having the President certify House Bills 5687, 7778 and Senate Bill 1232 as urgent remain the top legislative priority. Coordination with the House committee on local government and its chairperson, Tarlac 3rd district Rep. Noel Villanueva continues. Villanueva, earlier committed to help pass this proposed law and finally let the Cordillera region achieve its autonomy.
    Despite Covid-19 restrictions, autonomy advocates continue to partner with the RDC-CAR and NEDA-CAR towards the common goal of establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.