In support of the Regional Autonomy in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Agricultural and Fishery Councils (AFCs) from Luzon A Cluster (Regions I, II, III & CAR) approved Resolution No. 28-2021, recommending the Department of Agriculture Cordillera to integrate advocacy platforms in its agriculture programs and activities conducted through face-to-face and online during the Luzon A Congress.
The resolution basically helps promotes Cordillera Autonomy through Information dissemination campaign program where the basics of the organic act should be integrated in some of the programs of DA-RFO-CAR to address the needed technical support and guidance to advance local government and community initiatives in addressing people’s lack of understanding and awareness of the Cordillera autonomy as well as combating misinformation by some groups.
The AFCs is mandated to act as advisory/recommendatory body to the Department of Agriculture (DA) to ensure the success of its programs and activities and establish nationwide network of agricultural and fishery councils to serve as the forum for consultative and continuing discussions within agriculture and fisheries sectors.
Moreover, Cordillera autonomy aims to build the region through sustainable development where culture is recognized and upheld, policies are context-specific and appropriate for the region adding this vision includes the future generations of the Cordillera-that may grow up in a region where their identity is affirmed and not discriminated.
It was also mentioned that the Office of the Secretary is a strong advocate of Cordillera Autonomy. It was emphasized that it is through continuous information to the farmers that it will strengthen the Cordillera unique identity defined by our indigenous culture and values, our beliefs and our interests protecting our ancestral domains, our natural resources, our forests, agriculture, and fisheries. Steps must continue to be taken to improve the agriculture sector since, as PSA-CAR noted in 2018, over 40 percent of all workers in the region are employed in the agriculture sector.
The AFCs pointed out the region’s responsible use of land and forest has allowed the Cordillera to support the agricultural industry in lowland northern Luzon by providing reliable and continuous flow of water in our rivers and providing irrigation for the farmlands in the lowlands.
The DA-RFO-CAR spearheaded by OIC-Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey has been passionate in advocating autonomy as he sees it as a means of facilitation regional growth and development in our uniquely carved region.
The regional director sees the vital role of having autonomy most especially on deciding policies for Cordillera.
Director Odsey said because Cordillera is not an autonomous region, the policies will have to come from the national government. And for agricultural development, that very much can be legislated by the regional assembly in a regional autonomous government.
Lastly, the AFC Luzon A Congress resolution supports this year’s celebration of Cordillera Founding Anniversary with the theme: “Working Together towards Cordillera Autonomy through Green Recovery “marks the three decades in the pursuit of Regional Autonomy.**