This coming July 15, 2012 marks the 25th foundation day of Cordillera Administrative Region. This year's celebration aims to instill in the people of the Cordilleras an enhanced awareness, deeper appreciation and unwavering commitment to the history and aspirations of CAR, on its 25th years of existence. It also aspires to propel unwavering commitment and support to the pursuit of Cordillera Autonomy. Numerous activities are slated for this year with the kick-off activity to be launched at Mt. Data, Bauko in Mountain Province this coming May 28, 2012. This is to commemorate the "Sipat" that triggered the creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region. 

In line with this, all government agencies and units are encouraged to show their support by posting the Cordillera Month banner. Details of the banner design can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here. 

Click Read More to view the detailed list of activities for the whole month of July. 

by Rubyloida Bitog

MORE supporters of House Bill 5595, pushing for Cordilleran autonomy, are joining the advocacy.

San Juan City Representative Joseph Victor Ejercito expressed his support for regional autonomy during his visit in Baguio City last April 28.

"If it (autonomy) would fast-track development, then I will support fully in having an autonomous region," he said.

In an earlier discussion of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-Advisory Committee, Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat Jr. advised a series of massive consultations for the information dissemination on the advocacy. Schedules were also set for consultations in each province.

Please read more at Sunstar Baguio, May 3, 2012.  

By Maria Aprilla W. Cruz/PIA

BAGUIO CITY, April 19 -- More than 200 Igorots from all over the world were briefed on the Cordillera autonomy being pushed for the third time.

Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee Chairman Mauricio G. Domogan presented the salient features of the proposed organic act during the 9th Igorot International Consultation (ICC) held at the Baguio Country Club. The activity was hosted by the Igorot Global Organization (IGO)-Philippines in collaboration with IGO-International (IGO-INTL).

The IIC is one of the major activities of the IGO-INTL and it is conducted every two years in countries where IGOs are established. Its main objective is to provide a venue where Igorots/Cordillerans all over the world come together and consult on their social, economic, cultural, political concerns and interests and plan how they can help respond to them.

Please read more at Philippine Information Agency, April 19.

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis/PIA

BAGUIO CITY, April 1-- More than 300 government employees from regional line agencies and the local government units in the region were briefed on the Cordillera autonomy being pushed for the third time.

Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee member Peter Dumaguing lectured on the Cordillera Regional Autonomy and Development program during the two-day seminar workshop on the Millennium Development Goals(MDG) Catch-up Plan Formulation in the city. The Regional MDG Workshop was initiated by the RDC through the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), in partnership with other government line agencies headed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH).

Dumaguing discussed the draft act which has been filed last year and passed recently by the House of Representatives' committee on local government. Particularly he presented the salient points of the House Bill 5595 or the Act Creating the Cordillera Autonomous Region which is vital for the fast track of the improvement and development of the Cordillera region.

Please read more at Philippine Information Agency Website, April 1, 2012.

by Carlito C. Dar/PIA

The Regional Development Council- Cordillera (RDC-CAR) Advisory Committee (Ad Com) has agreed to push for consultation and information education communication campaign on autonomy upstream with congressmen and other top officials and down to the grassroots.

In a meeting among Cordillera officials and the RDC members yesterday presided by RDC Chair and Kalinga Governor Jocel Baac, the group passed a motion to draft a resolution for the conduct of a Joint Congressional – RDC Consultation and IEC on Autonomy as well as downstream strategy to the grassroots.

The motion was based on the recommendation of Ifugao Congressman Teddy Baguilat Jr. who gave update on the status of House Bill 5595 – An Act Creating the Cordillera Autonomous Region. The Bill House Committee was passed by the House Committee on Local Government but Benguet Congressman Ronald Cosalan has filed a motion for reconsideration questioning the manner in which the Committee approved on its level HB 5595 without much debate.

Please read more at Ugnayan, Mar 28, 2012.

Last April 12, 2012 the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center conducted an orientation-workshop for Local Government Units in the region.

The said orientation aimed to introduce the PPP Program as well as its concepts and frameworks and as an approach to sustainable development and inclusive growth. Public-private partnership is a contractual agreement between the government (implementing agencies and LGUs) and private firms. In this approach, the private sector does the financing, designing, implementing and operating of infrastructure facilities and services that were traditionally provided by the public sector.

Moreover, the PPP Center also familiarized the participants on project development, its processes, and services. A video clip of successful LGU-PPP projects was shown as samples for LGU participants to emulate. The LGUs were expected to determine the features of PPP projects in the local context to identify key supports and technical assistance they can seek from the PPP Center in pursuing projects.

A presentation of the key points of the CAR Regional Development Plan was done to disseminate the major thrusts of the region in terms of development. Later on during the activity, a workshop was conducted for LGUs to assess local development projects for PPP implementation. Among the major projects suggested for PPP enrolment are: a) Cordillera Roads Improvement Project, b) BLIST Circumferential Road, c) Baguio Airport, and d) provision of mobile communication services for underserved CAR areas.

This event was coordinated by DILG in partnership with the PPP Center. For more information on the PPP program, go to www.ppp.gov.ph.

by Vincent Cabreza, Inquirer Northern Luzon

BAGUIO CITY—Can the government afford a new autonomous region?

That's what Benguet Rep. Ronald Cosalan said he wanted to know when he urged the House committee on local government last week to reconsider its support for the autonomy measure sponsored by Cordillera lawmakers.

The committee, chaired by Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz, passed House Bill No. 5595 after a five-minute deliberation and without further discussions on Feb. 22.

But Cosalan said the committee must invite the Department of Finance and other appropriation agencies to study the feasibility of subsidizing the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) with a P50-billion grant for the first five years of its existence and another P25-billion grant for the next five years.

Please read more at Inquirer News, March 10, 2012.

By Michael G. Umaming

Baguio City:        Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Cayetano Paderanga, Jr. visited the Cordillera Administrative Region as part of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) Consultation Caravan last March 20, 2012.  The Secretary had been moving around the country discussing the PDP 2011 to 2016, the present administration's blueprint for national development. 

The CAR consultation was done at Hotel Elizabeth here and was attended by 120 people mostly members of RDC from Local Government Units, Regional Line Agencies and Private Sector Organizations.

The following were questions (Q) raised during the consultation and the responses provided by the secretary and his team: