BAGUIO CITY – – Agriculture Secretary William Dar, the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) for the Cordillera Administrative Region(CAR), reaffirmed his support to the region’s pursuit of regional autonomy and development as he rallied local officials and the people as the main agents of progress.
“The ardent hope that I express on this 33rd anniversary of the CAR with the theme, One Resilient Cordillera: Embracing the New Normal Towards Recovery, is that its people and leaders, will be the primary agents of the region’s progress and the realization of the Autonomous Region of Cordillera towards federalism in this part of the country,” Dar stated in his keynote speech at the CAR’s anniversary program at the University of the Philippines Baguio on July 15.
“Today, the DA family and I, under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, renew our resolve and goodwill to partner with all parties willing to advance, support and contribute their efforts and resources to the development of this region as a strong partner for economic development, and community and nation building in an environment of peace,” he added.
In support of regional development, Dar said DA has P1.1 billion fund for the development of the agriculture sector and rural communities in the region especially the local communist armed conflict affected barangays.
The Cordillera Regional Development Council, through the Economic Development Sectoral Committee chaired by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI – CAR) led a simple, blended program for CAR’s 33rd foundation anniversary.
The program, which was joined by the different provinces in the region via video teleconferencing opened with a “Pitik di Tapey Ritual” by Cordillera elder and former Baguio Mayor and Congressman Atty. Mauricio Domogan.
Governors and congressman from the different provinces of CAR, along with the mayor and congressman of Baguio City, also shared their messages and declaration of support to regional autonomy and development. **JDP/CCD-PIA CAR
