Zubiri to file Cordi Autonomy bill in Senate
CORDILLERA’S long time quest for autonomy is getting the backing of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Zubiri accepted the request of the Cordillera leaders to file the Senate counterpart of the House Bill 5343 “An act to establish the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera”.
His acceptance was made during the First Congressional Forum on Autonomy held in Batasan, Quezon City.
Secretary Jesus Dureza made the request in behalf of the leaders.
Dureza, speaking before the members and staff of Congress called on the Cordillera congressmen to be the front liners in making sure that the Cordillera Autonomy Bill or House Bill 5343 will be passed adding Cordillera autonomy is a victory that should not be postponed anymore.
He added the unity of the Cordillera leaders continuously inspires them to push forward the aspirations of its people.
Dureza recognized the relentless work on autonomy by the Regional Development Council through National Economic and Development Authority - CAR with the leadership of Dir. Milagros Rimando.
Rimando reported the autonomy advocacy work of the RDC with its various partners at the local and national level.
RDC Chair and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan who shared the historical context of the region’s aspiration for self-determination underscored the cultural uniqueness of the region because of its history.
This was also supported by Atty. Benny Bacani who emphasized the distinct identity and autonomy of the Cordillera is vested as constitutional rights.
Dir. Gen. Romulo
Miral, Jr. talked about financing the autonomous region, and the challenge of generating more from local revenue sources rather than appealing for more share in the total national income.
The forum was jointly organized by the Cordillera Regional Development Council and NEDA-CAR with the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department. PR