BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera embarked on a move for autonomy towards federalism after comparing the two possible outcomes for the Cordillera relative to regional autonomy and the government’s planned shift from presidential to the federal form.
The region’s policy-making body ruled that the Cordillera will continue to advocate for autonomy before federalism is established primarily for the following reasons: the creation of an autonomous region is provided for in the 1987 Constitution; autonomy will ensure that there will be no diminution of powers of the regional government even if there will be a shift to a federal state; autonomy can be undertaken in parallel with the promotion of the Bangsamoro advocacy which passed popular support; autonomy has advocates and champions; pulse surveys reveal an increasing level of awareness and support for Cordillera autonomy; budget allocation for the social preparation of the CAR into an autonomous region is already provided in the national budget; there is already a pool of trained speakers on autonomy; there are already existing materials which have been enhanced on the advocacy on autonomy; there is a new draft House bill ready for filing in Congress; autonomy may promote the recognition of the identity and culture of the region, and it offers opportunities for two autonomous regions, CAR and ARMM, to be models for federalism.
On the other hand, there is a need for extensive efforts to gather support from all members of the House of Representatives for the autonomy law to be passed and the Cordillerans may be temporarily confused with the campaign for federalism.
Among the possible outcomes for the Cordillera region relative to autonomy and federalism will be the shift of the campaign from autonomy to federalism with two possibilities, Cordillera as a federal state and as an autonomous region of the Cordillera with a federal government.
The identified advantages of federalism are it being a priority of the current administration and federalism having an active advocacy from various non-government organizations and political parties supporting President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The RDC-CAR noted the move to federalism is uncertain and may take more time because it requires amendments to the Constitution plus the fact that previous surveys showed low acceptability of federalism as a form of government and that the abandonment of the campaign for autonomy in favor of federalism may create confusion to the people of Cordillera who have become aware and are supportive of regional autonomy.
Moreover, the RDC-CAR stated federalism will require new resources for the creation and development of new materials, and will require extensive training for speakers and both will require new budget allocations coupled with the possible non-recognition of the identity and culture of indigenous peoples and indigenous cultural communities in the region if made as part of a bigger federal state.
Autonomy advocates remain firm that self-governance will help move the people out from the shackles of poverty because of greater control of the region’s resources with lesser restraint from outside forces.
By HENT
