Top Cordi execs join gab; told folks would vote for autonomy in plebiscite

By Kathleen Irah B. Magaliao

BAGUIO CITY – Majority of constituents of Baguio City, including the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Ifugao, Apayao and Abra would vote for Cordillera regional autonomy if a plebiscite is held on the matter in the near future. 
    This was bared when top officials of the region gathered here Feb. 3 to discuss developments related to House Bill 3267 -- An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
    Baguio Rep. Marquez Go said HB 3267, filed on August 8, 2022 and authored by all Cordillera district representatives, was approved on the first reading by the committee on local government and committee on ways and means of the 19th Congress in November and December 2022 respectively.
    The National Economic and Development Authority Cordillera Administrative Region through Assistant Regional Director Stephanie F. Christiansen joined discussions on developments related HB 3267.
    She bared results of the 2021 Pulse Survey on Cordillera Autonomy highlighting the current level of the region’s awareness of and support to the autonomy pursuit. 
    Christiansen said the recent survey indicated 61% of the respondents were aware of Cordillera Autonomy.
    Considering “yes” and “no”, 71.74% said they would vote for autonomy in case a plebiscite will be conducted in a near future with all provinces and one city voting “yes” to autonomy.
    The event was organized by the Institute for Autonomy and Governance, a Cotabato City-based non-government organization that specializes in study and advocacy for autonomy and sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).
    Christiansen presented interventions done by the Regional Development Council Cordillera Administrative Region through the Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) program in information, education and communication campaigns, alliance building engagements and capability building.
    Rep. Go urged the public to articulate support for the bill and specify provisions not beneficial for the people to be considered during the drafting of the bill so that according to him, “We can craft the best bill for the Cordillera.”
    Go designated NEDA-CAR to consolidate queries submitted and raised by the public. Government agencies, different sectors, and organizations are urged to submit statements of support.
    “This is to address the President that the people of Cordillera are in full support to this autonomy”, said Kalinga Congressman Allen Jesse ‘Sonny” C. Mangaoang.
    Ret. Gen Bisckmark Soliba, consultant of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), provided an overview of OPAPRU’s engagements in alliance-building activities and affirmed their support to Cordillera autonomy. 
    Meanwhile, Go said HB 3267 shall undergo review in the committee on appropriations and the committee on rules, submitted to the Senate, and finally be subjected to the approval of the president.
    Information campaigns and the plebiscite will be conducted upon the enactment of the Organic Act.
    The roundtable discussion was recorded and available for public viewing at the PIA Cordillera Facebook Page - https://fb.watch/iw35wo5dB5/.