DSWD, NEDA bring autonomy IEC to grassroots

IN A bid to strengthen participatory local governance, the Department of Social Welfare and Development recently conducted the “Strengthening Community Participation in Local Development.”

Barangay officials from Sadanga, Mountain Province, Tinoc, Ifugao and Villaviciosa, Abra where among the participants where discussions on Cordillera autonomy provided an avenue to give the workshop a regional context.

The Regional Development Council, through National Economic and Development Authority, provided autonomy IEC resources and collaterals for the implementation of the event.

Autonomy IEC speakers Alma Toyoken and Vladimir Cayabas shared their insights and thoughts about Cordillera autonomy.

Cayabas noted the pursuit of autonomy goes hand in hand with federalism adding autonomy and federalism are like siblings, they strengthen each other.

The activity aimed to address the flaws of past campaigns for Cordillera autonomy which were plagued by lack of information dissemination and rampant misinformation.

Dr. Agustin Guinid from Ifugao thanked the speakers and recalled in his early years his reservations about autonomy but when Father Balweg explained the benefits of autonomy like how Cayabas explained it, his doubts were removed.

DSWD continues to be am active partner and advocate of regional autonomy. Last year, they brought awareness of the autonomy advocacy to the grassroots and reached over 800 stakeholders through their activities.

Since 2006, the RDC, in which the DSWD is a member and NEDA as the secretariat, has adopted Cordillera autonomy as the central theme of regional development. Through its Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) program, NEDA Cordillera has led the way in raising awareness and gaining support for regional autonomy which is focused on attaining sustainable development and just and lasting peace in the region.