For the fourth time since the rejection of two organic acts that earlier sought to create an autonomous region for the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), House Bill 5687 entitled: “An Act Establishing the Autonomous Region of the Cordillera,” was personally filed by incumbent CAR legislators.
Introduced and authored by Representatives Joseph Sto. Nino Bernos of Abra, Elias Bulut Jr. of Apayao, Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao, Marquez Go of Baguio City, Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang of Kalinga, Nestor Fongwan of Benguet and Maximo Y. Dalog Jr. of Mountain Province, they gathered at the bills and index department of the House of Representatives on December 2, 2019 to jointly it. Fongwan was not able to join and sign the house measure as he was then reportedly attending to district concerns in his home province.
In their explanatory note, the lawmakers cited Section 15, Article X of the 1987 Constitution which provides for the creation of autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras that will consist of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas sharing common historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures and other relevant characteristics.
“Pursuant to this mandate, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) was created in 1989 through Republic Act 6374. In 2001, Congress passed Republic Act 9054 to expand the territory and powers of the ARMM. During the 17th Congress, Republic Act 11054, also known as the “Bangsamoro Organic Law” (BOL) was enacted to establish the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and abolish the ARMM. In early 2019, the BOL was ratified through a plebiscite, marking the transition from ARMM to BARMM. On the other hand, an autonomous region in the Cordilleras has yet to be realized,” the explanatory note said.
The authors also said two Organic Acts for an autonomous region were enacted in 1990 and in 1998 however, both measures were rejected by the Cordillerans due to the insufficiency of provisions that will guarantee genuine autonomy and self-governance.
“Following these two failed attempts, extensive information dissemination campaigns and public consultations were conducted to craft a legislative measure that truly reflects the need and aspiration of the people of the Cordilleras for regional autonomy. In recent years the movement for autonomy finds fortitude in the commitment of the Duterte Administration to support this Constitutional mandate,” they said.
The Cordillera lawmakers believe that autonomy shall serve as the foundation upon which the people of Cordillera shall be empowered to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth, through the management of their natural resources, protection and development of ancestral lands, and the promotion of the rights and culture of the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera.
“It is through its progress and growth as an autonomous political entity that the Cordillerans can tap its potentials and contribute to national success. The collective aspiration of the Cordillerans for genuine autonomy is rooted on the right to self-determination of the people fueled by a long history of struggle for the recognition of their rights. It is high time that we make good on this Constitutional mandate, and allow the Cordillerans to determine their political status and to freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development,” the congressmen explained.
They also added: “By adopting necessary amendments and proposals, we have consistently endeavored to evolve this legislative measure as a product of the collaborative participation of all stakeholders. With clearer understanding of autonomy, its implications and effects on the lives of our people and on the future of Cordillera, the time is ripe for us to once again present to the Cordillerans the opportunity to realize this deeply ingrained desire.”
Among the salient features of the bill is found in Article III Section 6 which shall afford the autonomous region an equitable share ifrom the National Budget and Development Assistance in addition to other financial assistance, support and subsidies for the region’s development.
Regional powers to be devolved to Local Government Units (LGUs) particularly in the areas of education, health, human resources, science and technology and people empowerment was also mentioned in the house measure.
In relation to the use and management of resources, Section 16 recognizes the regional government’s share with the national government in the exploration, development and utilization of its natural resources, conservation and protection of natural resources by promoting the sustainable use and management thereof and adopts environmentally sound and appropriate technology in the management of natural resources. The use of renewable energy shall also be promoted for power generation.
In the Senate, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who currently chairs the Committee on Rules, has also committed to file a counterpart bill in order to help facilitate the swift and smooth passage of the bill into law.
A multi-stakeholder gathering on Cordillera autonomy has been scheduled for December 12, 2019 in Baguio City. **Erlindo Agwilang, Jr.
