CALL FOR AUTONOMY. Cordillera Administrative Region leaders sign a manifesto calling for a Cordillera Regional Autonomy in Baguio City on Monday (July 1, 2024). The event was held during the launch of the 37th Cordillera Month celebration. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
BAGUIO CITY – Officials of national government agencies and localities from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) on Monday signed a manifesto calling for autonomy, right on the first day of the month-long celebration of the region’s 37th founding anniversary.
Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Cordillera Administrative Region Assistant Secretary Antonio Tabora expressed optimism that the latest measure will reach President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
A former vice mayor and councilor here, Tabora said the “no” votes won in the 1990 and 1998 plebiscites for CAR autonomy.
“Ngayon nandito ako, kasama natin si Presidente, para matamo natin ang ating pangarap na maging autonomous ang Cordillera kaya pagtrabahuhan natin ng mabuti (I am here how and we are with the President in reaching our dream to become an autonomous Cordillera so we have to work on that),” he said.
In terms of economic aspects, the manifesto said the region “is blessed with abundant natural resources from lush forests to mineral-rich mountains.”
However, “centralized control has stifled our economic potential, relegating us to the peripheries of national development.”
“Autonomy will enable us to harness our resources responsibly, fostering sustainable development that benefits out people directly. It will facilitate the ratio of locally tailored economic policies that address our unique needs and leverage our strength,” the manifesto reads.
Tabora said they want to know the people’s sentiments and to educate them on the advantages of having an autonomous region, not just relying on what officials are saying.
In July 1987, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order 220 creating CAR. Three bodies were formed to prepare it for autonomy.
The constitution allows two autonomous regions in the country, the other being the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which inaugurated its government in March 2019.
Tabora said President Marcos has been invited to join the celebration of the Cordillera Day on July 15 in Bangued, Abra.
“We will talk to him. That is one of our functions, to bring the region to Malacañang,” he added. (PNA)
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