Like other Cordilleran towns
Bontoc, Mountain Province – Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., led the officials and people of Bontoc in the municipality’s renewed commitment and support for Cordillera’s pursuit of autonomy when he received the ‘symbolic unity gong’ from the delegates of Sadanga in the morning of July 10, 2023, at the Bontoc Municipal Capitol Auditorium.
The Unity Gong Relay, a symbolic act, made its way through municipal LGUs in Mountain Province. This aims to promote regional autonomy and garner support from local leaders.
Sadanga Vice Mayor Paul Farong-ey in his Turnover Message mentioned that Sadanga is one with the Cordillera region as he rallied unity in the pursuit of regional autonomy.
He added that the benefits of becoming an autonomous region have been thoroughly explained, and once achieved; the regional autonomy will be enjoyed by everyone, by this generation and the next generations to come.
Mayor Tudlong in his Acceptance Message highlighted the conditions in the Cordillera are different from the lowlands such as its topography and indigenous culture which are reasons for some national policies, programs, and projects that are not appropriate to our situation. He remarked that resource management systems, ownership and property concepts, social and family values, and indigenous knowledge systems and practices, or IKSP remain strong in the Cordilleran communities. Thus, granting autonomy to the region would empower local leaders with decision-making authority that will respond to particular conditions, needs, and aspirations of the Cordillerans.
Gary Pekas of the Provincial Government of Mountain Province who is also a member of the Speakers Bureau for Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) talked about the significance of the Unity Gong Relay and answered questions from the participants during the open forum.
Other dignitaries who are present during the Unity Gong Relay Program in Bontoc are the members of the Sangguniang Bayan led by Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen, delegates from the Provincial Government of Mountain Province led by Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr., and personnel from the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)-Mountain Province headed by Atty. Wilson Kalangeg. The participants are employees from the Bontoc LGU and partner national government agencies. The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) – Samoki Chapter headed by SK Chairperson Anton Zaren Nasungan showcased a cultural performance.
Meanwhile, Mayor Tudlong who led the delegates from Bontoc in the turnover of the ‘unity gong’ to the Municipality of Besao led by Mayor Bryne Bacwaden in the afternoon of July 10, 2023, expressed high hopes that the ‘unity gong relay’ will not merely be a ceremonial activity. Rather, it will bring a strong message to every Cordilleran to rally and give their support for the realization of an autonomous region.
“For the past years, we have witnessed how our leaders and other partner stakeholders gave their effort, commitment, and perseverance in rallying support in pursuit of regional autonomy. Yet, it is disheartening to know that some of those who have been passionately campaigning for the long and overdue aspiration to become an Autonomous Region have gone to the great beyond and still did not witness it become a reality. They did their part. Now is our turn to do ours,” Tudlong emphasized.
In his appearances before the crowd in the ‘unity gong relay’ in Bontoc and Besao, he appealed to the participants to relay the messages on autonomy to their families and respective communities.
The inter-municipality turnover of the ‘symbolic unity gong’ is part of lined-up activities in celebration of the 36th Cordillera Month Celebration, with the theme “Celebrating One, Resilient, Diverse, and Inclusive (CORDI) Journey Toward Regional Autonomy.” For this year’s celebration, it is hosted by the province of Apayao and the Regional Development Council (RDC)- Committee for Indigenous Peoples Concerns (CIPC). The CIPC is chaired by Governor Lacwasan with the NCIP headed by Regional Director Atty. Atanacio Addog. **Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay, Bontoc LGU
