LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera is now accepting proposals from concerned government agencies, local governments, non-government organizations and other interested stakeholders on how to help implement the programs and projects for the Social Preparation of the Cordillera as an Autonomous Region (SPCAR).
Jadedea Aquino, assistant regional director of the Cordillera office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-CAR) and RDC-CAR Secretary, said all proposals from various sectors must be with the region’s policy-making body by December 31, 2016, to allow the proper evaluation and assessment of the projects for possible funding in next year’s programmed budget.
Aquino pointed out proponents must have fully liquidated the funds that were downloaded to their agencies, local government and organizations to fund previous projects before they will be allowed to access the available autonomy funds from the NEDA next year.
The NEDA-CAR official underscored proposed projects must be focused on the major components of the available fund which are information and education campaign (IEC) among all concerned sectors, alliance building and program management and education.
It will be recalled that in 2006, the RDC-CAR embraced the renewed quest for autonomy as an over-arching agenda for growth and development since it was seen as the ultimate solution to the lack of funds allowing the Cordillera to lobby for more funds from the national government to fastrack the development in the countryside.
For the past several years, the national government appropriated P15 million annually for the NEDA-CAR to implement approved information and education projects under the SPCAR on the advantages of becoming an autonomous region for Cordillerans.
Autonomy advocates believe the conversion of the Cordillera into an autonomous region will surely help the people move out of the shackles of poverty because of increased development opportunities decided by the regional government with lesser restraint from outside forces.
Aquino reminded agencies, local governments and the private sectors which have not yet liquidated the autonomy funds downloaded to them to already submit their respective liquidation reports the soonest in time for the closing of their books of accounts so that they can also access the available funds for allocation next year for the above-mentioned components.
For NGOs and civil society organizations, Aquino reminded them to prepare their programs for their autonomy-related activities next year and that it will be the agency that will settle whatever expenses to be incurred to avoid the tedious requirements of the accounting and auditing procedures.
By Dexter A. See
