Tabuk City, Kalinga – As the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga intensifies its support for the establishment of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, Vice Governor Dave Q. Odiem has appealed to iKalingas and all Cordillerans to unite behind the decades-long aspiration, emphasizing that genuine autonomy means giving the people of the Cordillera a greater voice in shaping their own future.
While the Provincial Board prepares a resolution supporting the region-wide campaign for autonomy, the Provincial Government of Kalinga continues to strengthen public awareness efforts to help residents better understand the true meaning and benefits of regional autonomy.
In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Odiem said achieving autonomy requires not only the commitment of leaders but also the full support and understanding of every Cordilleran.
Odiem explained that an autonomous Cordillera would have greater authority over regional development, the management of natural resources, the protection of ancestral domains, the preservation of indigenous culture, and the delivery of essential government services, while remaining an integral part of the Republic of the Philippines.
According to Odiem, autonomy would empower Cordillerans to determine the programs and projects best suited to the region's unique needs instead of relying heavily on decisions made at the national level.
"Cordillera autonomy means Cordillerans deciding Cordillera's future. Nu gamin kunatayo nga Cordillera autonomy, it does not imply being detached from the Philippines. Rather, it would grant the Cordillera enhanced power regarding regional development, the administration of natural resources, the safeguarding of ancestral territories, the conservation of indigenous culture, and the provision of government services nga talaga isu kasapulan dagiti tao," Odiem said.
"No dagiti mangipangpangruna ket dagiti mismo makaammo iti kasasaad ti Cordillera, mas napardas ken mas ma-addressan pay dagiti talaga kasapulan dagiti tattao. Dayta ti kayat nga sawen ti autonomy… Parti tayo latta ti Pilipinas ngem ad-adda ti pannakabalin tayo nga mangidalan iti bukod tayo a panagdur-as," he added.
The Vice Governor then called on iKalingas and all Cordillerans to stand behind the campaign, saying autonomy is an investment not only for the present generation but also for the generations yet to come.
"Agtitinulong tayo, kakailyan. Supportaan yo dakami nga leaders yo nga manggun-od daytoy nga arapapaap tayo ta para met laeng ti pagsayaatan tayo amin, especially dagitoy sumarsaruno nga henerasyon," Odiem appealed.
To reinforce Kalinga's support for the autonomy movement, Odiem initiated the drafting of a provincial resolution expressing the Provincial Government's commitment to accelerate the establishment of the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
Once adopted by the Provincial Board, the measure will complement the regional resolution crafted by the League of Provincial Board Members of the Cordillera during its regional assembly held in Baguio City from July 12 to 14.
Board Member Atty. Christopher Donaal told Guru Press Cordillera that copies of the regional resolution were transmitted on July 15 to the Regional Development Council (RDC), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for appropriate action.
After these agencies complete their respective actions, the resolution will be forwarded to the Office of the President, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, formally conveying the Cordillera leaders' united appeal for the realization of the region's long-standing aspiration for autonomy—an aspiration that has endured for nearly four decades.
.png)
