Don’t close the door to Autonomous Cordillera

Our first try to become an Autonomous Region failed in 1991, as it seems that the people of the Cordillera are cleverer than Congress gives them credit for. They rejected the watered down Organic Act. After more than seven years, we again tried for the second time as we held a plebiscite in March 1998. Again the people overwhelmingly rejected it.

To some leaders, that has ended the dream of an Autonomous Region for the Cordilleran notwithstanding its being enshrined in the Constitution but to many its not. I am one of those that remain hopeful that some day in the near future we will again muster that courage to try and attain the dream. Article X of our charter that says there shall be autonomous region ion the Cordillera and Muslim Mindanao has kept that alive.

The planned charter change, which has been the clamor even during Ramos’ time, may finally come in the first year of PGMA’s fresh six-year term. Of course she had said that amendment would be in the economic provisions only but by the tune that Congress has been singing, there’s a great possibility of a change from the present set up to the parliamentary and Federal Form of government. The federalism move is welcome to me and many of our compatriots. The complication however, comes as many are saying that with a shift to federalism the Autonomous provision would become inutile as federalism would already address the Cordillera question.

I beg to disagree. While Federalism is better than what we have at present, it short of the autonomy we have been dreaming of. And to echo the sentiments of those that have sacrificed for that provision, it is wrong if the government again, intends as it did in the past to solve the Cordillera problem with the same formula.

Second, I don’t think it would pose a problem if the Autonomy provision remains in a Federal Constitution. The government and the legislators should bear in mind that lives have been sacrificed just because of that dream and while we failed we must not close the door for another try. And even if we fail we will try again and if we had left this world then the next generation will try until Cordillera gets what it wants.

But the threat of the said Constitutional provision will be scrapped is real. Before the end of the month, GMA will be proclaimed. I am sure of that unless the country goes to a civil war, which I doubt. It is for this reason that during our group the “Taga Cordillera Kami Inc” Seminar I brought up the issue and asked help of our National Confederation the “Ang Katipunan ng mga Samahang Maharlika” to help in our lobby in the future for the purpose of protecting the said provision. The TCKI by the way is an organization aimed at advocating for the Indigenous Rights among other progressing ideas. We also inculcate Self Reliance and self-sufficiency among our cadres and people. Right then and there during the seminar our National Coordinator, Deo Palma promised the whole confederation’s support. Our sister organization from the Ilocano areas, the “Timpuyog Peoples Movement Inc” President Mr. Shermon Cruz who attended the event readily vowed his support for our TCKI’s planned lobby once amendment of the charter finally starts.

But we will need the help of all groups who love Cordillera for a much needed united effort to protect the only present legal avenue to attain Autonomy. The Cordillera Peoples Alliance who has been on the forefront in lobbying for that provision should gain lead it.

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written by Joel Belinan, published in ZigZag Weekly

Posted in: advocacy