Tabuk City, Kalinga – Backing the region’s pursuit for self-governance, Kalinga State University, along with other government agencies in the province successfully launched on Monday, October 17 the Signature Campaign for Autonomous Region of the Cordillera.
The launching of the signature campaign was held alongside the Cordillera Autonomy Regional Summit marking the province’s celebration of this year’s Indigenous People’s Month.
The activity as earlier reported aimed at supporting the bill filed by the six lawmakers in the Cordillera before the 19th Congress - House Bill 3267 establishing Cordillera Autonomous Region.
The signatures collected will be presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to convince him to prioritize the autonomy bill filed to be passed into law.
During the event, Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang mentioned he is hopeful of said positive action as there are also lawmakers from regions 1 and 2, Visayas and Mindanao who are supportive of the bill.
Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., in a video message also expressed his support to said pursuit, saying his office will be behind towards attainment of an autonomous region in recognition of the Cordillera people's fundamental rights towards peace and development.
Galvez was represented by OIC Office of Deputy Presidential Adviser for Operations Susan Marcaida.
Meantime, officials who led the ceremonial launching of the signature campaign include Congressman Mangaoang, Provincial Legal Officer Atty. John Paul S. Baguiwan, Mayor Sacrament Gumilab, Board Member Mark Aldrich Diasen and KSU President Eduardo Bagtang.
House Bill 3267 is the bill refiled last August by Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang along with Maximo Dalog Jr. of Mountain Province, Menchie Bernos of Abra, Eleanor Bulut-Begtang of Apayao, Mark Go of Baguio City, Eric Yap of Benguet, and Solomon Chungalao of Ifugao before the 19th Congress.
HB 3267 states the proposed law aims ‘to establish an effective political entity, provide for its basic structure of government in recognition of the justness and cause of the people of the Cordillera, their fundamental and constitutional right to self-determination and the faithful pursuit of the duty to protect, conserve and develop their patrimony and cultural heritage in order to secure for themselves and their posterity, the preservation of their identity and posterity, and the attainment of meaningful and effective governance.’
If passed into law, a plebiscite will be held covering Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Baguio City not later than six months after the new law takes effect.
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