Abra vows full support for autonomous Cordillera

Balao-as, who represented Abra in the turnover of the symbolic unity gong in Baguio City on Friday afternoon, assured his fellow Cordillerans of Abra’s continued participation in the region’s initiatives to gain autonomous status. (Photo by Pamela Mariz Geminiano/PNA)

BAGUIO CITY — Abra Vice Governor Ronald Balao-as has reiterated his province’s support for Cordillera’s pursuit for autonomy, acknowledging that the ongoing Unity Gong Relay in the region symbolizes the locals’ single sentiment on autonomy despite the diversity in their culture and ethnicity.

Balao-as, who represented Abra in the turnover of the symbolic unity gong in Baguio City on Friday afternoon, assured his fellow Cordillerans of Abra’s continued participation in the region’s initiatives to gain autonomous status.

Immediately after Baguio received the unity gong, it was transferred to La Trinidad, Benguet for the evening program.

“The unity gong will serve as a reminder to us all not to falter in our quest for genuine autonomy,” Balao-as said, wishing that the highland region would soon be called the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

“This will lead to more opportunities for the region to come up with policies on progress and development that are responsive to the situation of the region. Together, let the sound of the gong reverberate through our hearts and in our minds. Let our call for regional autonomy echo and reverberate in the halls of Congress and in Malacañang,” he added.

In his acceptance message, Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said it was the first time for the people of Cordillera to unite towards the attainment of an autonomous region.

He was joined by Baguio Congressman Mark Go, Baguio councilors, and the rest of the city hall staff.

“We do accept this gong, which is the symbol of unity. We hope this strengthens our clamor for self-determination to achieve autonomy towards good governance,” Domogan said.

In celebration of the 31st founding anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Unity Gong Relay kicked-off Monday (July 9) in Lagawe town in Ifugao province, this year’s host province. It was then passed on to Mountain Province, then Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Baguio City, Benguet, and back to Ifugao on Saturday in time for the celebration’s culmination on Cordillera Day on Sunday (July 15).

This is the sixth year that the “Unity Gong” has been brought around the region, from one locality to another, to symbolize their oneness in calling for autonomous status.

Ifugao Governor Pedro Mayam-o, as host province, was first to hit the symbolic gong to usher in the week-long celebration, with the theme “Regional Autonomy for Good Governance”.

The CAR was an offshoot of the Sipat (peace pact) between the government and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA) led by rebel priest Conrado Balweg on July 15, 1987.

Then-president Corazon Aquino issued Executive Order No. 220, formally creating the CAR, comprising the provinces of Abra, Benguet, and Mountain Province of the Ilocos region; Ifugao, Kalinga, and Apayao of Cagayan Valley; and the highly urbanized Baguio City as the region’s center.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution includes the provision for autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.

However, Cordillera’s regional autonomy has not materialized, after two failed attempts through a plebiscite.

Proponents of the highland region’s autonomy are now banking on a third attempt, through House of Representatives Bill 5343 entitled, ”An Act Creating the Cordillera Autonomous Region”, which is at the Lower House.