Bontoc – In support of the Cordillera’s quest for autonomy, Mountain Province’s officials headed by Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. and Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli received the Unity Gong from the province of Ifugao on Monday at Mount Polis.
With this year’s celebration theme, “CAR @ 31: Regional Autonomy for Good Governance,” the gong relay kicked off in the province of Ifugao before the Unity Gong was ferried to Mountain Province where it stayed for one night. The delegates of the province of Ifugao was headed by Governor Pedro G. Mayam-o. Representatives from the province of Benguet and Baguio City were also present to show their support during the Mountain Province leg for the activity.
The Unity Gong Relay, which commenced in 2012 is one of the major activities for the annual celebration of the founding anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). It aims to show the cooperation and oneness of Cordillera officials to strengthen the region’s continuous quest for an enhanced Cordillera identity through regional autonomy. The gong travels to the six provinces and two cities in the region, symbolizing the united effort of the CAR provinces in their pursuit for regional autonomy.
During a program in the capital town of Bontoc, Ifugao and Mountain Province’s top officials had expressed their support to regional autonomy. The members of the Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) uttered optimism that with the support of their partners from the local government units, regional line agencies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, the social preparations of the region towards autonomy will be realized.
Governor Lacwasan, in his message, echoed the steadfast support of the Provincial Local Government Unit of Mountain Province to the RDC’s thrust on autonomy towards federalism.
He said that the Unity Gong Relay exhibits our sincere and continuing efforts in building a socially, politically and economically stable society, leading to the Cordillera’s overall progress; thus, preparing a well-established region for the next generations.
Lacwasan further reminded the need to revisit our place’s history in the pursuit of regional autonomy, emphasizing on the Cordillera’s past leaders who clamored for the establishment of a united Cordillera Region.
“Let us work hand in hand in building a stable society that is anchored on your present and our past leaders’ aspirations to assure the protection, respect and recognition of our rights to self-determination,” Lacwasan said.
It could be recalled that prior to the year 1987, the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, and the City of Baguio were part of Region 1, while Apayao, Ifugao and Kalinga were under Region 2.
CAR was created in July 15, 1987 through Executive Order No. 220 in response to the relentless clamor of the people for regional autonomy, which culminated in a historic “Sipat” at Mount Data in Bauko, Mountain Province. This administrative set-up was meant to prepare the region towards autonomy. Thus, CAR is only a temporary region. If EO 220 is repealed, the provinces of the Cordillera will return to Regions 1 and 2. However, if regional autonomy is realized, it will become a permanent region.
Atty. Tomas A. Kiwang, Jr., Provincial Legal Officer in his sharing, said that the regional autonomy means more independence for our region and that the concept of autonomy is for our region to establish a regional government to discharge or perform several functions and powers of the government that are not being done by the central offices. He said that national standards do not always respond to the circumstances or peculiar conditions in the Cordilleras, thus, hampering the progress of our place.
Kiwang also pointed out that the region should not stop its pursuit for regional autonomy and just wait for Federalism since the body that would be tasked to amend our constitution may not accommodate the enhancements that are innate in regional autonomy.
“While it is true that regional autonomy and federalism have the same purpose wherein it is to devolve powers to the lower levels of government or what others say decentralization, they are the same, they have the same purpose but for us in the region it is better for us to pursue regional autonomy first.” Kiwang said.
Among the reasons on why autonomy must come first, Kiwang underscored that regional autonomy as compared to federalism has already the constitutional basis. For us to shift to federalism, there is need for us to revise or change the charter or the constitution and even a simple question regarding the revision before the Supreme Court might again hamper the process.
“In regional autonomy, at least we are to be treated uniquely as compared to other regions whereas in federalism we will be treated equally however, it might be harder for the federal government to provide us or to grant our request,” he added. He further said that at least, in regional autonomy the rights of IP’s would be secured as compared to a federal set-up.
Meanwhile, Governor Mayam-o who thanked the officialdom of Mountain Province for a warm welcome also expressed his support to regional autonomy, urging everyone to grab the chance to self-determination which will allow the Cordillera to sustainably manage its resources while creating responsive policies that are applicable in the region.
During the program, the provincial dads led their respective delegations in the beating of the gong to affirm their stand to one united Cordillera Region.
Last Tuesday, a 32 vehicle-convoy travelled from Bontoc to Kalinga for the turnover and a program.
The Unity Gong will be brought to the different CAR provinces and Baguio City before it will be transported back to the host province of Ifugao for the celebration of Cordillera Day on July 15. **Erwin S. Batnag
