BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Regional Peace and Order Council led by their Chair and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan will hold their 2nd quarter joint meeting on June 18, 2018 in Lagawe, Ifugao.
On the agenda are various peace and development concerns, including an accreditation system for civil society organizations (CSOs) being proposed by the CSOs themselves that will ideally increase the involvement of the private sector in assisting conflict-afflicted (CAAs) and conflict-vulnerable areas (CVAs).
Several of these CSOs met with the RDC members last May 2 to voice out their concerns to the government, and calling for the resumption of peace talks between the national government and the National Democratic Front as they are unwillingly caught in the cross-fire.
These were presented in a Peace Dialogue initiated by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Regarding the Chico River Pump Irrigation project, the RDC and the CSOs agreed to gather more information regarding the conduct of public consultations with the affected people and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples will present details on the memorandum of agreement signed by the affected barangays in Pinukpuk which allegedly gave their consent.
This meeting is held a month before the celebrations for the 31st founding anniversary of the Cordillera in July and it will also finalize preparations and agreements between regional executives and NEDA regarding the implementation of the Unity Gong Relay which will involve all Cordillera provinces from July 9 to 15.
By Marlo T. Lubguban
