Cordillera solons revive autonomy bill

BAGUIO CITY Representative Mark Go together with other Cordillera lawmakers filed HB 5343 - An Act to Establish an Autonomous Region of the Cordillera (ARC).

The House Bill was jointly filed by Teddy Baguilat, Jr. (Ifugao), Eleanor Bulut-Begtang (Apayao), Joseph Sto. Nino V. Bernos (Abra), Ronald Cosalan (Benguet), Maximo Dalog (Mountain Province) and Allen Jesse Mangaoang (Kalinga).

Article 10 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, as territorial and political subdivision, will enjoy local autonomy.

According to the solons, Cordillera autonomy is seen as the most effective option to provide the region with the needed solid foundation to pursue sustainable development as the region hopes to benefit from the management and use of its natural resources.

The rationale of the proposed measure is to establish a political entity, provide for its basic

structure of government in recognition of the cause of the Cordillerans and to secure their identity and posterity allowing for a meaningful self-governance.

“Cordillera autonomy will bring to national attention the benefit of accepting and promoting cultural diversity through the formulation of multicultural policies for Cordillerans,” the lawmakers explained.

The revived autonomy bill, once enacted into law will be subject to the ratification of the constituents in a plebiscite covering the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province and Baguio City. Provinces or cities voting unfavorably for the Organic Act will remain within their current region.

“It is a manifestation that regional autonomy is no longer just a lifelong dream but a vigorous desire,” the solons stressed.

The Cordillera Administrative Region was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 220 under the administration of Pres. Corazon Aquino with the authority to administer the affairs of the government in the region and to prepare for the establishment of the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.

“This intended piece of legislation is long overdue. I am optimistic the enactment of this bill will ensure the region's economic growth resulting in the improved quality of life of the Cordillerans,” Go said.