LAMUT, Ifugao – A number of college students from different municipalities in Ifugao were treated to an entertaining and informative concert-forum on Cordillera autonomy last October 12, 2017 at the Luis Hora Gymnasium, Ifugao State University (IFSU).
Said event forms part of the Cordillera Regional Development Council’s (RDC-CAR) initiatives with the Cordillera office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) as the secretariat, in partnership with The Cordillera Binnadangan Connection, Inc. It aims to increase the awareness of and engage the youth in the regional autonomy advocacy. Specifically, it serves as a trigger activity to spark interest among the youth, one of the priority sectors in the RDC’s Information Education and Communication (IEC) thrust.
Members of the Provincial IEC Speakers’ Bureau, Roscoe Kalaw, Rosemarie Lindawan and William Mamanglo, shared the history and the three core messages of autonomy, and the roadmap for achieving autonomy towards federalism. Project Jon which served as the main band and some local bands from the different campuses of IFSU, rendered songs with messages on cultural integrity and environment.
Said activity shows the RDC-CAR’s efforts in involving and recognizing the youth sector’s role in the future of the Cordillera region. As mentioned by Governor Pedro G. Mayam-o in his welcome remarks, “Cordillera autonomy is for the youth, isunga suportaran tayu daytoy, ikkan tayu ti attention na ta haan para kanyami daytoy nga lalakay. Isu ti kayat mi nga ipatawid kadakayu.” (Cordillera autonomy is for the youth, therefore, we must support and give attention to it. This is not for us, the older generation. This is what we want to bequeath to you.)
Similar concert-fora were also staged earlier in the provinces of Benguet, Kalinga and Mountain Province. A similar event is lined-up for the provinces of Abra, Apayao and Baguio City.
By Zenia P. Cadiogan
