What makes July 15 a special non-working holiday in Cordillera?

Tabuk City, Kalinga – By the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin declared July 15, 2023, a special non-working day in Cordillera Region through Proclamation No. 250.

On said day, the only land-locked region of the country will commemorate its 36th anniversary since its historic foundation in 1987 through Executive Order No. 220.

The proclamation was signed by then President Corazon Aquino to enable Cordillerans to prepare for the establishment of regional autonomy, as stated under Section 1, Article X of the 1987 Constitution.

When established, the administrative region consists of five provinces – Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga-Apayao, and Mt. Province, with the chartered city – Baguio. The sub-provinces of Kalinga and Apayao were converted into regular provinces on February 14, 1995, through Republic Act No. 7878.

The creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region likewise aimed at accelerating economic and social growth and development, and so the people in the region can participate in the pursuit of peace and enjoy the benefits as such.

For the realization of autonomy, previous attempts failed. The two organic acts passed in 1990 and 1998 were not ratified, with only Ifugao favoring self-rule in the first referendum, while only Apayao voted the same in the second. This is supposedly due to “people’s lack of awareness and understanding of the autonomy issues, coupled with misinformation drives undertaken by some sectors.”

With various information drive efforts, Cordillera leaders have been seeking and pushing for autonomy to further pursue sustainable and inclusive growth at the same time protect and develop their resources and promote their culture and rights.

Now on their 36th founding anniversary, Cordillerans reaffirm their support towards self-determination, and with the presidency of Marcos Jr., the leaders have higher hopes for the bill’s immediate passage.

No less than the President is expected to grace the Cordillera Day this Saturday in the host province – Apayao.

The region started on July 01 the various activities in the month-long event, anchored in this year’s theme, “Celebrating One, Resilient, Diverse, and Inclusive (CORDI) Journey toward Regional Autonomy.”

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