RDC brings autonomy advocacy campaign to Benguet towns
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Sept. 30(PIA) - - The advocacy campaign on regional autonomy by the Regional Development Council – Cordillera region has reached clustered municipal participants through Barangay Development Congress.
In partnership with the provincial government, a series of forum was held for the people in the clustered towns to increase their knowledge and understanding of the concept of autonomy for the Cordillera region.
Participants were oriented on basic concepts, historical background and the three core messages of Cordillera regional autonomy which are enhanced identity, responsive policies for the Cordillera and progress for all.
Retired Department of Environment and Natural Resources Regional Executive Director Clarence Baguilat, a member of the Speaker’s Bureau organized by the RDC-CAR, explained the consequences and advantages in the event the region becomes autonomous.
“If we are autonomous we have the exclusive control of the management, supervision and the development of our natural resources but taking into consideration our responsibilities,” Baguilat said.
“We formulate our policies, we give due recognition to indigenous knowledge and practices where applicable,” he added.
Cordillera becomes a special region as the regional government could formulate policies responsive to the Cordillera situation not based on national planning standards as what is happening now.
Among all the regions, the Cordillera gets the lowest budget based on national planning and budgeting standards.
One of the criteria in the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) distribution is based on population. The Cordillera has the lowest population, hence, the IRA allocation is also low having a meager share of only three percent. It is erratic if taking into consideration sustainable economic growth, he said.
In terms of line agency budget, the Cordillera region year in year out, gets the lowest share nationally “yet when it comes to resources we are not left behind, we are at the top,” he said.
If autonomous, there will be an additional budget through a subsidy over and above the existing budget being allocated, said Baguilat.
The regional government will also have the authority to approve permits on mining, energy resource development, water rights instead of the national government.
Governor Melchor Diclas believes that regional autonomy has its advantages as it may fast track development in the province, gives the provincial government authority to manage its own resources and can directly collect its share of national wealth from mining and hydro power generation.
The RDC-CAR proposal for the Organic Act will serve as input for consideration by Cordillera representatives in Congress in the filing of a new bill for Cordillera Autonomous Region. (JDP/SCA-PIA-CAR)
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