BAGUIO CITY, Monday March 21 – The youth or young Cordillerans should try to read and learn even a little about our history and on the issue of autonomy, as our region is very unique compared to the other parts of the country, so said Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) co-chairman Dr. Virgilio Bautista, in an informal forum with the local media.

According to Bautista, it is only through autonomy that we can establish and strengthen our identity, especially the identity of the indigenous peoples (IPs), in terms of our cultural way of preservation and utilization of our natural resources and wealth.

Bautista also reiterated that the law says that to pursue the dream of regional autonomy is essential for the region’s development.. Bautista also said that at present, the region’s development plans and programs still depend on the decision makers in the national government, whereas in an autonomous state, it will be the people who will decide what programs or projects are more beneficial to the region’s development.

RDC-CAR Committee on IP’s Concern and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) regional director Amador Batay-an agreed with Bautista.

According to Batay-an, the young people should be educated on the history of Cordillera and on why we are still lagging in terms of development compared to the other regions.

Batay-an explained that in terms of the distribution of national wealth, the Cordillera Region is at the losing end, as based on national standard, land area and population are the criteria in the distribution of Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA).

“Our land area and population are not even comparable to any region or even to a single large province or city, which is why there are provincial/municipal local government units in the region who get less,” he said.

“It is in this situation why we are opting for development through regional autonomy which constitutionally recognizes our needs,” Batay-an said.

“Culturally, geographically and historically CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region) is unique and so with our geography and our history. We have always been divided by the central government, which is why we should be one, as provided by Executive Order 220 of the Philippine Constitution, to be one in pushing for regional autonomy,” he said.

RDC-CAR is now in into the drafting of the third autonomy act and it is engaging all sectors to participate and unite under a common goal of achieving regional development through autonomy. (PIA CAR)