Autonomy bill to be certified by Digong
PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza vowed House Bill 5343 as urgent to be certified by Malcañang before the year ends.
Dureza, who attended the Baguio leg of the Cordillera Unity Gong relay on Friday assured the new house bill will be certified by President Rodrigo Duterte this year.
“I ask the president not to leave the Cordilleras behind and he is willing to meet the group on Tuesday (July 18) so you
the leaders can to express the desires of the Cordillerans,” said Dureza.
The OPPAP official also lauded the seven lawmakers form the region, despite their differences, have worked as one for the bill.
Dureza emphasized the importance of unity, not only among the officials, but also with the ordinary people who must know and understand that they must support autonomy.
If the house bill “An Act Establishing Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC)” is passed, Dureza warned government officials must not be lax.
“Don’t think that there is magic and that everything will be well and good. The bigger challenge will be how to run an autonomous region and how to meet the expectations of people,” he said. Dureza added the road to peace “is not a paved road,” that’s why he encouraged everyone to move forward and keep the course towards autonomy.
As a champion for the Cordilleras dream of autonomy, Dureza was also adopted as a son for his unparalleled support and sincere efforts towards peace and development in the region.
A certificate, kalasag (shield), tubai (spear), wanes (g-string) and gangsa were given to Dureza as part of the adoption rights at the Unity Gong Relay at the city hall grounds .
Dureza was named “Mansapit,” which is a Kakana-ey term for peace maker and savior.
The government official said being adopted by a region is very important to him, and that he hopes he deserves it. However, he said that his contributions must not be taken as something that is very outstanding because it is the government’s responsibility to help.
“Pag nasa gobyerno tayo, basic yun eh. You are even duty bound to do what is to be done. We have to do the best that we can,” said Dureza. Arianne Jo Julaton/UP Baguio intern