House committee okays Cordillera autonomy bill

By Bob Lyndon Daroya

QUEZON CITY -- The House committee on local government chaired by Rep.  Noel Villanueva approved the substitute bill establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region in its virtual meeting on August 24.
    The substitute bill reconciled HB 5687 filed by Congressmen Joseph Bernos of Abra; Elias Bulut, Jr., Apayao; Mark Go, Baguio; Solomon Chungalao, Ifugao; Maximo Dalog, Jr., Mountain Province  and House Bill 7778 filed by Benguet Congressional Caretaker Eric Yap. 
    Go, chairman of the TWG created by the CLG, said the substitute bill is a product of months of deliberation to ensure support of stakeholders.
    “For over three decades, our region is operating under a transitory system of governance and we believe that the time is ripe for us to fulfill our goal of regional autonomy,” he said. “We are hoping that even with the limited time left, we can go farther than we have done in recent years and actually submit this proposal to the people for ratification. Hence, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought”.
    Various national agencies, local government units and district representatives which include the Departments of Interior and     Local Government (DILG), Foreign Affairs (DFA), Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Civil Service Commission (CSC), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Baguio City LGU expressed their support to the substitute bill. 
    Questions and suggestions on budgetary requirements, acceptability by the people of the bill were raised during the meeting to which Cordillera Congressmen, Rep. Villanueva, and National Economic Development Agency Cordillera regional director Susan Sumbeling responded to
    Cordillera congressmen said they will considercomments and suggestions before the substitute bill advances to the plenary.
    Eventually, the substitute bill was approved subject to amendments by the CLG. The substitute bill shall be forwarded to the House committee on appropriations and committee on ways and means.