City officials recently requested the members of the House of Representatives from the different districts of the Cordillera to conduct public consultations relative to House Bill (HB) 3267 that seeks to establish the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) which is now pending deliberations in the lower chamber of Congress.
Under Resolution No. 248, series of 2024, local legislators stated that extensive information education campaigns and public consultations were earlier conducted by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in partnership with concerned stakeholders following the two failed attempts to establish the autonomous region that resulted to the crafting of the proposed legislative measure which aims to further truly reflect the need and aspirations of the Cordillerans for genuine autonomy.
Aon August 8, 2022, Abra Rep. Ching Bernos, Apayao Rep. Eleanor C. Bulut-Begtang, Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, Benguet Rep. Eric Yap, Ifugao Rep. Solomon Chungalao, Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang and Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog, Jr. filed HB 3267 that seeks to establish the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) which is now pending deliberations with the House committee on appropriations after having been passed by the House committees on local government and ways and means.
Earlier, the two Organic Acts that sought to establish the autonomous region were rejected by the Cordilleras in separate plebiscites on January 30, 1990 and March 7, 1998 for various reasons.
However, the quest and clamor for the establishment of the autonomous region continues for the same to serve as a foundation upon which the people of the Cordillera shall be empowered to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth through the management, protection, and development of their natural and human resources and the promotion of the rights and culture of the peoples.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the different Cordillera Congress representatives and the House of Representatives for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See