TABUK CITY, Kalinga – With the theme “A Renewed Commitment for Autonomy and Sustainable Development Leads to a Lasting Peace,” Kalinga province hosted this year’s 31st celebration of the Mt. Data Peace Accord.
In 1986, the government forces led by then President Corazon Aquino and Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army(CPLA) headed by rebel priest Conrado Balweg paved the way for lasting peace through an indigenous treaty known as “Sipat.”
Held in Mount Data Hotel in Bauko, Mountain Province the parties exchanged peace tokens for the cessation of hostilities in the Cordilleras.
On July 15, 1987, Pres. Aquino issued Executive Order No. 220 creating the Cordillera Administrative Region resulting in the creation of regional offices to administer the affairs of government in the region leading to its economic growth and development as it prepares for the establishment of an autonomous region.
Two Organic Acts for an Autonomous Region of the Cordillera were enacted in 1990 and 1998 but both failed to be ratified.
In 2006, the Cordillera Regional Development Council renewed the pursuit for autonomy and prepared a working draft on Cordillera Regional Autonomy resulting to the filing of House Bill No. 5595 during the 15th Congress and House Bill No. 4649 during the 16th Congress.
During the 7th Congress on March 20, 2017, House Bill No. 5343 was filed for its enactment.
By Darwin S. Serion