Malacan֮ang recently declared July 15, 2023 as a special non-working day in the cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in time for the celebration of the region’s 36th founding anniversary.
Proclamation No. 250 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. stated that it is but fitting and proper that the people of the cordillera be given full opportunity to participate in the celebration of the region’s founding anniversary and enjoy the same through the program that had been prepared for the purpose.
For this year, the Regional development council – Committee on Indigenous Peoples concerns (RDC-CIPC) chaired by Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. and the Apayao provincial government headed by Gov. Elias C. Bulut, Jr. will serve as the hosts for the activities that had been lined up for the celebration of the region’s founding anniversary.
The theme of this year’s 36th founding anniversary celebration is ‘”Celebrating One, Resilient, Diverse and Inclusive (CORDI) Journey Toward Regional Autonomy.’
On July 1, 2023, the simple but meaningful activities will kick off in Baguio city to pave the way for the start of the celebration and will end with the 36th founding anniversary program in Luna, Apayao on July 15, 2023.
Former President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order (EO) No. 220 on July 15, 1987 creating the CAR by bringing together the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province and Baguio city from the Ilocos Region and the provinces of Ifugao and Kalinga-Apayao from the Cagayan Valley Region.
Under the said executive issuance, the CAR will serve as a temporary administrative region to administer the affairs of the government in the region, to accelerate the socio-economic development of the region and more importantly to prepare the region for autonomy.
RDC officials are still working on who will serve as the guest of honor and speaker during the kickoff and main programs in celebration of the 36th founding anniversary of the region.
Aside from the 7 Cordillera congressmen, other guests being considered by the organizers of the founding anniversary program are President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Senator Robinhood Padilla and some members of the Cabinet whoever will be available on the aforesaid date.
Instead of the conduct of the usual regionwide Unity Gong Relay, the activity will be done at the provincial level where the Unity Gong will be going around the municipalities of the different provinces in time for the 36th founding anniversary program of the CAR in Luna, Apayao on July 15.
Mountain Province pioneered the conduct of the provincewide gong relay during the COVID-19 pandemic that sustained the spirit of the celebration.
Cordillera Month Technical Working Group Chairperson and National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-CAR Regional Director Atanacio Addog, during the recent Regional Social Development Committee 2nd Quarter Meeting said that 36 trees will be planted as a symbolic commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region, and as a reaffirmation of support to the Cordillera autonomy during the kick-off activity in Baguio City on July 1.
