RDC Website on Cordillera Regional Development and Autonomy

The objective is to inform the people of the real meaning of autonomy or self-governance, which the region has been aspiring for more than two decades now.

The three-point work plan came as a result of a recent survey conducted in the region, which showed that 66 percent of Cordillerans are not aware of the quest for regional autonomy as provided for in the Constitution.

The RDC’s plan is set for implementation in the next three years with the primary goal of laying the groundwork for a better understanding of the quest for regional autonomy in the context of economic development.

Cordillera is lagging behind in the development because the region has always been shortchanged in the allocation of resources due to its limited population and land area.

Under the new work plan, RDC will give priority to the information and education campaign, project steering, and program monitoring, evaluation and continuous actions.

The IEC targets four sectors. These are the general public, the youth and academe, government agencies, and other groups.

The capability-building activities will focus on empowering local authorities to effectively and efficiently deliver basic services to the people through improved generation of resources.

At the same time, local authorities would be given training on how to implement programs for eight areas of regional development, which include administrative governance, ancestral domain and natural resources, education, and resource generation.

This would enable the local authorities to maximize the utilization of resources and enhance development in their areas.

The project steering, program monitoring, and evaluation are focused on improving the region’s tie-up arrangements with national agencies. The purpose is to formulate doable plans and programs on how to undertake limited autonomy on the local and regional levels.

A part of the program calls for immediate amendment to Executive Order (EO) No. 220, the law which created the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). This would clarify the region’s share in taxes collected within its territorial jurisdiction.

The problem over revenue sharing loomed after the Department of Finance (DoF) ruled the Cordillera is no longer entitled to a 50 percent share of the revenues generated in the region because EO No. 220, which provides the benefit, had been repealed with the enactment of the Local Government Code in 1991.

The amendment would also include the grant of corporate powers to RDC to enable it to function as a resource-generation body.

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