BAUKO, Mountain Province – Kalinga Gov. Jocel C. Baac urged Cordillerans to work for the realization of the establishment of an autonomous region because it is one of the reasons why concerned sectors continue to gather and chart the region’s destiny in the future.
Baac claimed over thirty years ago, the process of unity among Cordillerans started that is why there is a need for the present and future generations to continue the peaceful struggle towards the achievement of the unfulfilled dreams and aspirations of those who risked their lives for the common good of the Cordillerans.
He commended the efforts of Presidential Peace Advisers Jesus Dureza to gather all groups who are united with the government in working towards the establishment of an autonomous region in the Cordillera which is inclusive of everyone to reaffirm their commitment to the spirit and objectives of the historic Mount Data peace agreement and for them to continue the peace process until the primary objective of a lasting peace in the region is realized.
“Now is the auspicious time to continue the peace process which was put aside during the previous administration because the Duterte administration believes that we could not develop our region without peace in every barangay in the Cordilleras. Let us forge our strength and resources as one Cordillera and continue to seek peace for our people,” Baac stressed.
The Kalinga governor challenged Cordillerans not to waste the time, effort, money, sweat, blood, and tears sacrificed by our forebears in the quest for autonomy and development for the region, underscoring the need for the Cordillerans to continue nourishing the said effort with their own initiatives and sacrifices as leaders and people of the region.
Baac graced the visit of Secretary Dureza at the historic Mount Data hotel to commemorate the split of the Lumbaya Company from the Communist Party of the Philippines – New Peoples Army (CPP-NPA) on Arpil 7, 1986 at Baclingayan, Kili, Tubo, Abra led by Fr. Conrado Balweg and formed the CPLA, and the first Cordillera Day on April 24, 1985 at Belwang, Sadanga, Mountain Province was celebrated.
He explained the split was based on ideological differences and that the CPLA was established to safeguard and promote the interest of the Cordillera people against the wanton exploitation by selfish interest groups or corporations determined to exploit the natural resources of the region with the support of the national government.
According to him, the interest of the Cordillera people was sacrificed by various groups and the CPLA led by Fr. Balweg boldly took the lead to negotiate with the national government for a peaceful solution to the problems encountered by the people in the different parts of the country.
In order to realize this, Fr. Balweg and the CPLA proposed the establishment of a Cordillera Autonomous Region so that the resources of the region could be protected and developed for the benefit of the people in the different parts of the region.
By HENT
