BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan vowed to prioritize the development of the Cordillera with the quest for regional autonomy as he sits as the new chairman of the Cordillera Regional Development Council.
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed just last week Domogan as the new RDC chair.
“The development of the region will be prioritized, all the needs and concerns of each of the provinces in the region will be studied and will be prioritized,” Domogan said stressing that he will be working with the local government units and line agencies to ensure that the goals of the region in terms of development and progress will be attained.
Domogan expressed that the development of the region is a major reason for the quest for regional autonomy that the Cordillerans are still dreaming of. The support for Cordillera autonomy is also in line with the aspiration for federalism by the President.
He added that the recent pronouncements by President Duterte for his support for the attainment of regional autonomy in the Cordillera region as relayed by Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Jesus Dureza in Tabuk City, Kalinga, is a welcome development for Cordillerans.
Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority-CAR Regional Director Milagros Rimando said that the appointment of Domogan as the new RDC chairman would be good for the Cordillera.
“Aside from the friendship of President Duterte and Mayor Domogan, the strong political ties of both leaders would be advantageous for the development and attainment of autonomy of the Cordillera region,” Rimando said.
She added that Domogan’s leadership as RDC chair would be complementary as he also leads the Regional Peace and Order Council. Development can only be achieved with peace. **By Redjie Melvic Cawis