by Lito Dar

Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said that President Benigno Aquino III believes in a democratic process and the attainment of regional autonomy will depend on how united the people of Cordillera are and on how well they will lay down the framework of autonomy in line with the region’s vision of progress and development.

“I think we would like to see all the stakeholders in the Cordillera sit down and discuss among themselves and reach a common ground or consensus that would really promote the principle of autonomy and see it realize in your own region,” Coloma said during a presscon Friday.

According to Coloma, the issue of autonomy rests on the shoulders of the real stakeholders in Cordillera, who are the rightful beneficiaries of its wealth and natural resources. He noted that the region is blessed with abundant human talent and capital that can be harnessed for such purpose.

Coloma also advised that Cordillerans should learn from the lessons (experiences) in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and put up a draft law or framework that would be practical, responsive, and relevant to the development needs of the region.

He also called on the members of the press to also contribute their share in promoting a constructive dialogue so that there would be a broad base consensus among the stakeholders and help in the realization of the aspiration of the people in Cordillera for faster progress in the region through autonomy.

Meanwhile, the Regional Development Council’s Third Autonomy Act Drafting Committee (TAADC) chaired by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan is now working double time in the drafting of an autonomy law which they aim to present for a plenary discussion by May 15 and to have a final draft presented for consultations with the Cordillera congressmen and governors by the end of May. (JDP/LD-PIA CAR)