La Trinidad begins the first time municipal to municipal Benguet Unity Gong Relay, themed: Celebrating One Resilient, Diverse, and Inclusive (Cordi) Journey Toward Regional Autonomy, on June 7, 2023.
The program started with the presentations from La Trinidad Municipal Employee Association (LTMEA) choir and cultural dance troupe.
It was followed by the opening remarks of La Trinidad Vice Mayor, Hon. Roderick C. Awingan.
On his remarks, he stressed that La Trinidad is one of the municipalities of the Cordillera aiming a resilient, diverse, and inclusive journey towards regional autonomy.
“We are one indeed in our quest to have that particular autonomy…we hope that this objective would be engraved into our hearts and into our minds so that once achieved, the regional autonomy will be enjoyed by everyone not only in this generation but [also] the next generation,” Vice Mayor Awingan stated.
Municipal Mayor Romeo K. Salda also gave a message on autonomy which he stated that Cordillera has a rich culture and tradition that can build a confidence in achieving the genuine regional autonomy and the people is not a strange for resilience and dynamism.
While the region is having challenges in attaining the genuine regional autonomy, Mayor Salda hoped for unity and described the Unity Gong Relay as a testament. He also sought for the Cordillera resources to be sustainably managed using indigenous knowledge, system, and practices.
Mayor Salda stated, “We shall remain resolute for our future intentions will be ours to hold.”
He also expressed his appreciation to the presence of the various stakeholders who attended, showing their commitment and passion not only for being Cordillerans, but also for the courteous jury for self-determination, regional development, and socio-economic recovery.
Mr. Benguet 2023, Arnel Labisa, is also among the provincial and municipal employees who attended the 2023 Unity Gong Relay.
As a representative for the upcoming Search for Mr. And Ms. Cordillera Autonomy Youth Ambassadors, Labisa encouraged his fellow youths to be more proactive through researching and learning for a better understanding to Cordilleran autonomy. He is set to compete at Apayao on July 14 for the final search.
Meanwhile, La Trinidad IPMR, Hon. Pendon B. Thompson, elaborated that the concept of autonomy was not clear in the previous years.
However, through the various seminars in the provincial and national level, the importance and value of autonomy became more apparent to him.
“It’s a YES that we go for autonomy,” Hon. Thompson stressed.
Further, he explained that one of the advantages of autonomy in La Trinidad is the protection of land ancestral domain. Without the autonomy before, different investors of housing and subdivisions easily operate in some land domains destroying some natural resources.
He differentiated that now that there is a rising advocacy of autonomy, land investors can only operate after the consent from the community, which is a good practice for the land preservation of La Trinidad.
Hon. Thompson said YES to autonomy for the protection of our resources, especially our culture and tradition, land, and identity, where the young ones can still live on. He also highlighted that the Unity Gong Relay is a good signal for the coming autonomy. By Perlita A. Cando