Manila Manila-- Cordillera congressmen filed the bill in the Lower House last December 6, 2011 amidst speculations from some quarters if the time is ripe for another crack at Cordillera autonomy.

The last two organic acts were overwhelmingly rejected by the people in separate plebiscites in the past.

Sec. 15 Article X of the Philippine Constitution states "There shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordillera consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities and geographical areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines".

The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is already functional with its regional government in place discharging its powers and functions.

In the case of the Cordillera, Congress has yet to enact an organic act for the creation of autonomous region of the Cordillera that is acceptable to Cordillerans.

House Bill No. 5595, which is hoped to become the Organic Act to be voted on by Cordillerans in a plebiscite, has been filed to accelerate the economic growth and development of the Cordillera as well as to remedy its disadvantaged share of development funds in the past. It is looked at as an admission of the national government of the region's having been neglected, thus, it should now be given the attention it deserves.

The would-be Organic Act will entitle the Cordillera Autonomous Region P10 billion pesos for the first 5 years and, thereafter, P5 billion pesos for five years.

Congressman Maximo Dalog, voiced out his concerns during the executive committee meeting of the Regional Development Council held here at the Sulo Hotel last December 7, 2011. He said that the Organic Act must reflect the popular sentiments and support of the Cordillerans to ensure its approval in a plebiscite.

Congresswoman Begtang of Apayao, however, commented that the provisions will have to be strenuously discussed during the committee meetings in congress. It is expected that public hearings will be conducted to generate sentiments of the people around the region.

During the meeting, Congressman Bernardo Vergara, who was the third Cordillera solon present during the meeting, said that a certification as to the urgency of the bill from the President is needed to facilitate its passage in congress. Towards this end, the Regional Development Councill–Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) will request President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III to issue such certification.

"We have to give meaning and substance to the constitutional mandate of having an autonomous region in the Cordillera. . . . . " Vergara stressed, adding that the move to establish an autonomous region will be for the benefit of the present and future generations of Cordillerans.

The Cordillera autonomy bill is composed of 17 articles and 173 sections that revolve around five major principles such as the establishment of a permanent regional identity for the Cordillera, no reduction in the benefits and powers of local governments, nationally paid officials and employees will continue to be nationally paid, grant of a subsidy to the autonomous regional government by the national government in the amount of P10 billion for the first five years and P5 billion for the succeeding five years and the continuous support of the national government to the regional government after the expiration of the 10 year subsidy period.

"The goal of a well-balanced and equitable development of the country, its various regions, more so the traditionally left out regions such as the Cordillera must be given the much needed attention they deserve and the same could be achieved with respect to the Cordillera through the establishment of an autonomous region," Agyao added.

The Cordillera Administrative Region was organized by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 220 which was signed by former President Corazon C. Aquino on July 15, 1987 and it was meant to prepare the region for an autonomous status.

Begtang pointed out that achieving self-governance will surely allow the development of poor provinces within the autonomous region because of the expected huge share from the subsidy that could be utilized to improve roads and bridges which are vital in spurring economic growth and instrumental in improving the lives of the people in the far flung communities.

"With the President's certification that the autonomy bill is an urgent administration measure, we will be able to hurdle the expected difficulties in passing the measure in Congress," Vergara said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo acceded to the request of the RDC-CAR for him to arrange a meeting between Cordillera leaders and P-Noy to discuss the merits of the bill establishing an autonomous region in the Cordillera prior to issuing a certification that it is an urgent administration measure so that he will be aware of the issues and concerns relative to the renewed quest for regional autonomy.

"We can have the proposed meeting by January next year provided that the matter shall have completely gone through the required staff work so that the President will be able to study the matter and come out with an acceptable decision," Robredo said.

The third attempt for regional autonomy came after the RDC-CAR made it one of its overarching concerns for more development in the rural areas.

The Cordillera had its first crack at autonomy on January 30, 1990 but it was only the province of Ifugao which voted in favor. On March 7, 1998, the second autonomy law was subjected to a plebiscite but only the province of Apayao ratified it.

The five proponents of the third autonomy bill agreed to an earlier proposal of Baguilat to subject the bill to a review by the University of the Philippines Law Center in order to correct whatever inconsistencies in it and with other laws prior to the conduct of public hearings and consultations around the region.*