Pekas highlights the importance of autonomy in IPs
Sagada, Mt. Province – One of the parts of the Indigenous People’s Day celebration program held on October 28, 2022, is to learn more and reiterate the importance of autonomy.
The importance of autonomous region Autonomy allows a group that is a minority within a state to exercise its rights while providing certain guarantees of the state’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
Mr. Gary Pekas shared the matter related to the autonomy of the Cordillera, which is why we are not given the opportunity to achieve our desired autonomy, how many times have we failed and how many presidents have passed that did not even grant our proposal.
He said, “When there was a plebiscite here in our area, almost everyone voted no, “why did you vote no?” because you still don’t know what autonomy is in the Cordillera? so, many doubt because we still lack knowledge and information that we should know,”
“Last 2019, a survey was conducted to assess the pulse of the Cordillerans on regional autonomy.
“As seen in the survey, there is an increasing level of awareness of Cordillera Autonomy. The increase can be attributed to the ongoing Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign efforts of the RDC,”
“Now we are promoting it again through the effort of the Regional Development Council and we have been given another opportunity to think carefully that this is also for the development and future of our Cordillera region,” Pekas concluded.
The Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) is a program implemented by the Regional Development Council of the Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) with partners from Local Government Units (LGUs), Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
The SPCAR’s purpose is to prepare the region for autonomy through its three main components: 1. Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Aim to increase awareness and support of all stakeholders from local (grassroots) to national levels through various communication channels. 2. Alliance Building- seeks to gather and solidify support from local and national organizations for the passage of a Cordillera Organic act. 3. Capability Building (CAP) – This aims to enable LGUs, RLAs, CSO, etc to develop their capacities in preparation for autonomy.
Why is the Cordillera currently an Administrative Region and not an autonomous one?
Prior to 1987, the province of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, and the city of Baguio, were part of Region 1 while Apayao, Ifugao, and Kalinga were under Region 2.
The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was created on July 15, 1987, through Executive Order No. 220 in response to the clamor for regional autonomy. This was a key agreement in the historic “sipat” or peace accord between the government under the Pres. Corazon Aquino and Fr. Conrado Balweg of Cordillera Bodong Administration – Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA) at Mount Data Hotel, Bauko, Mountain Province. This administrative setup was meant to prepare the region for autonomy.
Thus, CAR is only a temporary region. If EO 220 is repealed, the provinces of CAR will return to Regions 1 and 2. However, if CAR becomes autonomous, it will become a permanent region.
What is the difference between the Cordillera Administrative Region and Cordillera Autonomous Region?
Cordillera Administrative Region are emphasize the following: The development is based on national plans and priorities, Region is under the general supervision of the president, resource and services management is based on the national administration and agencies, CAR is temporary and transitional, based on EO 220 and there is limited participation of people in policy formulation.
While in Cordillera Autonomous Region, the development is based on regional plans and priorities, the Regional Governor will sit as a Cabinet member, Cordillera will have more and direct control over all resources and government services and it will have its own permanent legal identity and lastly, the participation of people in policy formulation will be enhanced through a Regional Legislative Assembly.
What are the advantages of Regional Autonomy?
Progress for Cordillerans – Management of resources will be based on the region’s development needs.
Cordilleran taxes for Cordillera Development – Opportunity for the regional government to use taxes, fees, and charges collected to achieve its development objectives.
Responsive Policies – Privilege to formulate and implement projects and programs that fit the unique conditions, needs, and priorities of the Cordillera Region.
Less Bureaucracy in the long-term – More powers and resources from the national government devolved to the regional government will lead to better government services.
Bottom-up planning – Cohesive regional and local development and security plans.
Involvement – More LGU and people participation in policies that directly affect them.
Sagada Mayor Felicito O. Dula, Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli, Jaime Dugao – IPMR, from the Representative of Mt. Province Congressman Maximo Dalog, Atty. Cyphrine Dalog, Representative of DOT-CAR, Supervising Tourism Sylvia Chinayog and the IPs from Northern Zone, Eastern Zone, Central Zone, and South Central Zone have listened intently. # Photos by: Mario Oclaman //FNS
