BAGUIO CITY – Members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and civil society organization (CSO) representatives petitioned President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Congress of the Philippines to grant the desire of Cordillerans to achieve autonomy or self-determination to contribute in efforts to advance the growth and development.
The call was contained in a strongly worded manifesto signed by RDC-CAR members and CSO representatives during the kick off program of the 37th Cordillera month celebration which was held at the Baguio Convention Center last Monday.
The manifesto stated that the region is blessed with abundant natural resources from lush forests to mineral-rich mountains but the centralized control of the same has stifled the Cordillera’s economic potentials, relegating the region to the peripheries of national development.
“Autonomy will enable us to harness our resources responsibly, fostering sustainable development that benefits our people directly. It will facilitate the ratio of locally tailored economic policies that address our unique needs and leverage our strength,” the manifesto reads.
On July 15, 1987, former President Corazon C. Aquino signed into law Executive Order (EO) 220 that created the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) by bringing together the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province and Baguio City from the Ilocos Region and Ifugao and the former Kalinga-Apayao from the Cagayan Valley. The CAR was mandated to administer the affairs of the government in the region, accelerate the socio-economic growth of the region and prepare the region for autonomy.
“We, the people of the Cordillera Administrative Region, united by our shared history, culture, and aspirations, declare our unwavering resolve to attain genuine autonomy. For decades, we have endeavored to preserve our unique identity, protect our ancestral lands, and promote our socio-economic development. Today, we appeal upon His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. of the Republic of the Philippines, and the Congress of the Philippines to heed our clarion call for autonomy, a call grounded in justice, equity, and the right to self-determination,” the manifesto added.
The Cordillera is a home to diverse indigenous peoples, and has a rich history marked by resilience and self-sufficiency. Despite centuries of external pressures and colonization, the region’s forebears preserved its distinct cultural heritage and governance systems. History was made with the signing of the 1986 ‘sipat’ peace agreement between the Philippine government and the Cordillera Bodong Administration–Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CBA-CPLA).
The manifesto asserted that autonomy will provide a framework to uphold and protect the rights of the Cordillerans more effectively, ensuring that justice is accessible and attune to their cultural context.
“Our quest for autonomy is rooted on the belief that a truly united nation respects and celebrates its diversity. Autonomy for the Cordillera will not weaken the Philippines; rather, it will strengthen the unity of the people by demonstrating that the country values and supports all its regions equitably. The said move will serve as a testament to the country’s commitment to inclusivity, justice, and balanced development. By Dexter A. See
