“Ayaban da kuma ti amin nga governors, elected officials and go to the President”: Odiem says united appeal is key to advancing Cordillera autonomy

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Vice Governor Dave Odiem called on Cordillera leaders to unite in urging President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the proposed Cordillera autonomy bill as an urgent measure, saying a collective appeal from the region's elected officials could help move the decades-long quest for self-governance forward.

Speaking during the Provincial Government of Kalinga's flag-raising ceremony on July 6, Odiem said governors, members of Congress, and other elected officials across the Cordillera should work together in seeking the President's support for the proposed autonomy measure.

“Ti napintas kuma nga aramiden dagitoy legislators, ayaban da kuma ti amin nga governors iti nadumaduma nga probinsya ti CAR, even the elected officials, to go to the President to please ask him to certify the bill as urgent.”

Odiem also encouraged Cordillerans to continue supporting the campaign for regional autonomy, reminding the public that the Cordillera remains an administrative region.

“Suportaran tayu daytuy pagbalinan ti Cordillera Autonomous Region. Tatta, Cordillera Administrative Region tayu paylang.”

He made the appeal as Kalinga officially opened this year's Cordillera Month celebration, which highlights the region's history, rich culture, and continuing pursuit of autonomy.

Why autonomy matters

The 1987 Philippine Constitution provides for the creation of an autonomous region in the Cordillera through an Organic Act passed by Congress and ratified by the people in a plebiscite.

At present, the Cordillera is an administrative region, with many government programs and resources managed through national agencies. If an Organic Act is enacted and approved by Cordillera voters, the region would have its own autonomous regional government with greater authority over planning, budgeting, development, the protection of indigenous culture, and the preservation of ancestral domains while remaining an integral part of the Philippines.

Supporters of autonomy believe this would enable faster decision-making on regional projects, give local leaders greater influence in setting development priorities, and strengthen the protection of the Cordillera's unique culture, traditions, and ancestral lands.

A decades-long aspiration

Congress previously enacted Republic Act No. 6766 in 1989 and Republic Act No. 8438 in 1997 to establish a Cordillera Autonomous Region. However, both measures failed to take effect after they were rejected by voters in separate plebiscites.

The latest proposal for Cordillera autonomy remains pending in Congress. Although Odiem did not cite a specific bill during his speech, he emphasized the need for stronger support from both national and local leaders to give the proposed measure greater urgency.

Odiem said realizing the long-standing dream of autonomy will require the united efforts of national leaders, local officials, and the people of the Cordillera to finally bring the region's decades-old aspiration closer to reality.