Cordillera Autonomy Part 3?

This so-determined stance of the Regional Development Council to push through with regional autonomy for the Cordillera is already a boring campaign and has lost its flavor.

Unless the RDC is going to make the issue as enticingly beneficial in the current scenario to gain attention by all sectors in Cordillera society, then the bid for the third attempt may see fruit. A flashback on the beginnings for a regional autonomy in the ‘80s began with a highly political setting calling for changes in the region.

With the call for regional autonomy highly politicized, the public saw differing autonomy frameworks from two highly ideological groups - that within a self- determining people within a nation sparked by the militant Cordillera Peoples Alliance(CPA) and the armed Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army’s (CPLA) idea of federalism of a nation within a nation.

The political scenario then showed a heavily loaded transition from the Marcos years to the Cory administration warranting the need for a change of political system then. Intense militarization and an equally intense insurgency and high incidents of human rights violations coupled with poverty marked the transition period before President Corazon took the leadership from then deposed President Ferdinand Marcos.

The need for a responsive political system for the Cordillera was equally high.If the plebiscite happened during the intense political situation in the middle ‘80s, I guess, the plebiscite for regional autonomy may have been realized. With the plebiscite happening when the iron cooled and the political climate was dazzlingly smooth and comfortable already with the leadership of then President Cory, the quest for autonomy apparently sizzled with NO votes over whelmingly winning over the lone votes of Ifugao still hopeful that regional autonomy will make wonders for the Cordillera.

And so it went until the second autonomy attempt was foiled in 1998 when the political administration led by President Joseph Estrada was equally not as politically polarized in the grassroots level to warrant a political change in government for the Cordillera. And more so under the term of former President Gloria Arroyo, she has established a mellowed government among heads and officials bringing the region under her control.

Seemingly too, at the same time, the people are pre-occupied with economic needs rather than going political such that getting out of the country to look for better jobs and opportunities was the more pressing and better thing to do under the time when GMA brought the country to utter impoverishment.

Now comes RDC chair and NEDA Director Juan Ngalob inviting President Benigno Aquino 111 to be the guest speaker in the 23rd celebration of the birth of the Cordillera Administrative Region on July 15 marking the date when former President Corazon Aquino signed EO 220 creating CAR in July 15, 1987. Ngalob thinks that President Noynoy will support regional autonomy.

Why will he not? In terms of allocating budget, I guess he will. Yet, it is a different thing when regional autonomy gets to a plebiscite. I believe so.

At this times when the administration seemingly is promising and determined to rid the country of corruption and bring a better Philippines, rocking the status and calling for changes in the structure of CAR as well and vote for ‘regional autonomy’ seemingly will not gain acceptance among the people.

The present set up is good as it is. What is needed is to make existing beneficial and progressive laws work for the Cordillera and equally craft relevant and beneficial policies not there within the present system. For one, is a policy letting Cordillera provinces have their share from National Irrigation Authority collections on waters sourced from watersheds within Cordillera territory flowing to lowland irrigation. Surely, such proposed laws can be forwarded by our representatives in Congress.

Or do we need a Cordillera assemblyman to do this? By the way, how is that bill already forwarded by former Baguio congressman now mayor Mauricio Domogan for local government units to have their share from taxes of national corporations doing operations in respective territories of LGUs?

While national laws have a stronghold on the economic and natural resource base of the people, autonomy becomes a vacillating issue. So vacillating that autonomy gets half-bred and redefined on self-determination within the present system.

A look at the program of the 23rd celebration of the Cordillera Month makes me smile like a college student. Some of the activities- intercollegiate debate and a radio quiz – aside from tree planting and ethnic hataw make up activities of the celebration.

Perhaps, a sizable cut from the autonomy budget may as well be given to the Department of Education so they can craft consistent ways of letting students learn what autonomy is all about the whole year round.

Meantime, what do the rest of the people of the Cordillera do to take part in this month long activity aside from the debate participated in by Baguio-based students and ethnic hataw by government entities? While the government has beautifully crafted development plans done by development planners and technocrats, I yet have to see sectoral development plans crafted by farmers, fisher folks, artists, teachers, youth, business people, media, women, and professionals in their own fields.

Unless if there is one already, I would like to know. Before we dream of regional autonomy for the third time and end up unpopular, consultations and discussions on common terms and aspirations is wanting. And then perhaps, we can tell President Noynoy Aquino what kind and what makes up the regional autonomy that we want. Otherwise, let the remaining P15 million budget information drive be allotted for livelihood programs among the rest of the Cordillerans before another batch will fly out of the country to look for better jobs and leave their families.

From: Northern Philippine Times

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Cordillera autonomy, being part of the vision

"......so that we can say at the end of the day that the people of the Cordillera are part of that vision. And for as long as they are part of that vision I am sure that our people will not just be recipients of development but they will become a dynamic force for meaningful developments for the region."

Read more on the MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY delivered by Presidential Assistant for Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Thomas A. Killip during the Closing Program of the 2009 Cordillera Month Celebration Baguio Convention Center , Baguio City, July 30, 2009.

FIRST OF ALL, MY WARM GREETINGS TO EVERYONE on the occasion of the 22nd Anniversary of the Cordillera Administrative Region as a distinct political region in the Philippines. I am deeply honored this morning to give a few thoughts and a message of solidarity for this occasion.

My Distinguished Brothers and Sisters of the Cordillera, Ladies and Gentlemen!

One hundred ten years ago upon the demise of the Spanish colonial regime in the Philippines and the entry of America as the new colonial master, it would be of great interest to imagine how both the previous and the new colonial powers regarded the people of the Cordillera mountain region at that stage of Philippine history. It is for certain that there was a common observation, a common perception, and also a common description.

From the northernmost tip of Apayao to the southern fringes of what is now Benguet Province we can be sure that we were all regarded as Ygorrotes which is an ancient Tagalog term for “people of the mountains” (sad to say that over the years this term has been used, misused, and abused). Likewise, from the terms that were used to describe us, both by the Spanish and by the early American authorities and missionaries, we could be sure that both colonial powers at that time regarded us as uncivilized. This must have been the beginnings of the “making of a cultural minority”. For us people in the Cordillera, while it is true that there were many things in common, there was as much diversity and differences in our way of life.

On one hand, we were all the same half-naked people wearing loin cloths, we had the same musical instruments, we had the same type of wet rice terraced culture, we had similar forms of animist religion and conversely, we had different dialects, different architectures, different weaving designs, and many countless differences. We were all fiercely independent tribal communities living side by side with each other but we were likewise neighboring communities that warred against each other. Thus among the different native communities in the region, the fact is that we were as different as we were similar in various ways and respects. Politically each village had its own council of elders that administered its own particular governance. And socio-politically there was no pan-Cordillera nation to speak of. We were a paradox of sorts. We could be one and the same, and we could also be one but different.

And yet despite all these differences among the various communities in this mountain region and all the perceptions attributed to us we hold the proud distinction alongside our Muslim brothers in Mindanao as one of the unconquered peoples during the more than 300 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines. We have read of the great Mayan and Inca civilizations of America which were decimated to extinction in a few years under the weight of the Spanish conquests. But here in the small island of Northern Luzon are half-naked people who fought tooth and nail for more than 300 years to defend their domains and their independence.

Thus while the rest of our Filipino neighbors were made peons of Spain for three centuries, we were living a life of freedom- we were singing our own songs, we were dancing our own dances, and worshipping the way our ancestors did. Some historians may attribute our successful Igorot independence as mainly the result of geographic circumstance but early Spanish written accounts would describe the many armed expeditions waged by the Spanish army to force the native communities of the Cordillera to submit to Spanish rule.

The latest and last of these expeditions was led by Colonel Guillermo Galvey, the so-called “Butcher of Cuba” in the 1800’s who burned entire villages from Kapangan all the way to the Ifugao side of the Cordillera in order to force the people into submission. Coupled with these armed conquests was the Spanish Policy of Reducciones that justified the Spanish colonial government to compel the native inhabitants of the Cordillera mountain region to go down to the plains and to live a Christian life. All of these failed to the embarrassment of the Spanish Crown. This Ladies and Gentlemen, is one of the great success stories that have never been told.

Why do I have to share these historical accounts? Because this is one of the basic reasons for our existence as a region. It speaks of our collective character that has made us survive in the worse of times. The fact that we share a common historical process and experience in our history have helped carve a distinct collective personality, a distinct color and a socio-cultural bond that sum up to make our peoplehood and our identity.

Next, this whole journey towards national integration for the people of the Cordillera from the time of the Commonwealth to the present Republic is another historical process that must be evaluated and weighed objectively in order to steer development towards a more sound, a more just, and a more sustainable development for us in our region. This is in fact saying that the integration of the Cordillera region and its people into the mainstream over the past century have resulted in not a small measure to the socio-cultural, political, and economic disintegration of our region. We should recall that at one time, a slice of the Cordillera Region was integrated into Region I while the other half of our region was integrated into Region II.

Many of our political decisions are being made above and outside of the region for us. Most of our natural resources which include our mineral resources, our trees and forests, as well as our rivers were transferred into the control of big interests. Our region in the Cordillera has virtually been used and treated as a resource base by and for bigger interests to our disadvantage. Integration and development in its many faces for us has meant disadvantage. Meanwhile under the present set-up our region continues to receive one of the lowest allocations from the national budget. And so this is what we get for all the wealth of natural resources that is being taken away from us. If this is the type of development that will remain with us for the years to come it is not difficult to see where this will lead us to.

The creation of the Cordillera Administrative Region which is what we are celebrating now on its 22nd anniversary was supposed to prepare the way for an autonomous region of the Cordillera as government’s recognition and response to correcting a past imbalance and an unjust set-up. It should not therefore come as a surprise if the Regional Development Council should sound out the call for the continued “quest for autonomy” because it is only fulfilling a constitutional mandate. The issue therefore should be focused more on what kind of autonomy do we want and the best way that the exercise should be conducted.

Thus, in previous and initial discussions, formal and informal, some points and consensus have become clearer:

(a) That the concept of autonomy for the Cordillera Region should never be discriminating in any manner against any particular person or group of people but should consider all people living in the region as natives and citizens of the region with equal rights, privileges, and opportunities. If Cordillera autonomy does not carry this principle then it should not even be discussed at all.

(b) We belong to a new order. We do not intend to go back and live like the way our ancestors lived because that is a thing of the past. While we preserve the good things of the past, the beautiful aspects of our culture, and the important values, what we are trying to develop is a set-up that should respond more effectively and efficiently within the context of a new order. It must be concept that is better than a previous one. If it does not, then there is no sense pursuing that kind of concept and aspiration.

(c) Autonomy should mean a greater local control of plans and political decisions in matters that affect the region. Imperial Manila has the tendency to dictate plans for us in the region. Autonomy should be able to reverse that process.

(d) The development of an autonomous concept should be participatory down to the grassroots levels. The subject of plebiscite should not be the primary goal of this process. Only the people can clamor for such an exercise if they grasp the essence of this concept. A process should be designed to effectively involve the widest participation of people and of different sectors in our region. We know that this process will take time but that is the reality of this type of political exercise so that we can say at the end of the day that the people of the Cordillera are part of that vision. And for as long as they are part of that vision I am sure that our people will not just be recipients of development but they will become a dynamic force for meaningful developments for the region.

In fact at this time of unparalleled global economic crisis, it is but proper that the discussions for regional autonomy should be expanded and intensified to enrich the concept even more. We have to be empowered for the worse.

At this juncture let me encourage that those at the helm of development for our region should really sit down occasionally to study and assess what this exercise and quest for autonomy is and what it means for us, specially the greater majority of people in the Cordillera Region.

Having said these let me thank you once again. It was a great privilege!

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What are we celebrating in Cordillera month?

That was 22 years ago when rebel priest Conrado Balweg signed a peace accord with then President Corazon Aquino at Mt Data Hotel in September 13, 1986. A year after, Aquino signed Executive Order 220 in July 15, 1987 which gave birth to the establishment of Cordillera Administrative Region paving the way for Cordillera autonomy. Republic Act No. 6766 followed on October 23, 1989 which provided an Organic Act for CAR and policies set for the proposed Cordillera autonomous government to exercise governmental functions including tax generation.

On the Cordillera region’s 21st anniversary and its ideals of what it purports to be, what do we see now? As we can obviously note, the dream of slain rebel priest Conrado Balweg to see a freely determining and progressive Cordillera is yet far down the road. For one, the region’s natural resources are still within the absolute control of the State.

Consider Magat River which flows in the jurisdiction of Isabela and Ifugao. While rules provide that the share of local government units in taxes which accrue from the use of respective territories will be provided to LGUs, this does not come automatically.

Ifugao Gov. Teddy Baguilat has to lobby for the release of Ifugao’s share in taxes from SN Aboitiz due the province from operations of the Magat Power Plant. The amount of P28 million share of Ifugao still awaits legal mandate from the Department of Energy for them to release the tax share of Ifugao.

As it stands, Ifugao and Isabela where Magat Dam sources hydroelectric energy from Magat River stands to profit from the company’s taxes with a 50/50 share from the 114 million transfer tax accrued from the sale of the Magat Hydro Electric Power Complex to the SN Aboitiz Power from the National Power Corporation.

And that is true with other hydro-electrical plants of the region. Benguet is still claiming for its due on taxes from Napocor and the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation for the use of its water resources.

Recently, P11.9 million was released by the national government for Benguet’s share in wealth taxes due operations of San Roque Dam after years of battling for this. San Roque Dam sources its hydroelectric energy from Agno River located in Benguet. But that is not all of the amount of what Benguet is claiming. Still, such taxes are claims years back which have not been given to the LGU. If not claimed, then it follows that the government will not be remitting these amounts due the province.

Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan and the people of Benguet are set to collect P198 million in taxes from Napocor -- P116 million in national wealth tax for the San Roque Multipurpose Dam in Pangasinan, P56 million in franchise taxes and P26 million in real estate taxes for the operation of Binga Dam. Such a big amount of money which could uplift the lives of hundreds of the province’s constituents.

Benguet suffers in Napocor’s refusal to pay franchise taxes for Binga Dam. Benguet LGU has to file a case in court to collect franchise taxes since 2001; and power sales Napocor made from 1992 to 2007.

Meantime, GMA ordered the release of P124 million national wealth tax for Benguet due the province from the operations of Philex Mines Corporation at P71 million, Lepanto Consolidated Mining Corp. worth P15 million since the last quarter of 2005.

The amount of P38 million is due from the Hydro-electric Development Corp. and the Northern Luzon Mini-Hydro Corporation since 1992.

The province’s share dates years back and the law is not facilitating an automatic share of the LGU’s share from the wealth of its own resources such that it needs the President of the State to bless the release of funds which rightfully belongs to the LGU and its respective constituents in the fist place.

In the same manner, SMART and other telecommunications facilities also are built on the towering peaks of Mountain Province. Yet, companies continue to pay their taxes straight to the national coffers as what the State’s commercial laws provide.

We still have to hear from respective local government units their shares in taxes due these giant multinational companies who continue to use the local resources at very measly arrangements.

Now comes the bill of Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan calling for the direct remittance of taxes of companies operating within the territories of local government units. Refiled by Domogan in the 14th Congress, these bills are pending. Control of natural resources is directly related to a region’s autonomy. Yet, income from these resources are not within the peoples’ control. That is, not within the Cordillera Administrative Region’s control.

The region abounds with rich natural resources where income could be generated. Consider rivers of hydro-electrical potential including Magat River, Agno River, Chico River, Sifu River. Consider towering mountains where giant telecommunication companies have to set up their relay towers to reach the farthest that its cell site can reach.

It is a pity that poverty in the Cordilleras is still a glaring reality. Poverty worsened in the Cordillera between 2003 and 2006. As per the latest estimates of the National Statistical Coordination Board, poverty incidence of families in CAR rose from 25.8 percent in 2003 to 28.8 percent in 2006.

Similarly, poverty incidence of population increased from 32.2 percent in 2003 to 34.5 percent in 2006. While we have the resources to get out from poverty and not let human and brain resources leave the Cordillera abroad for greener pastures, these income from natural resources remained out of our hands for years. Regional autonomy was touted as one answer to these woes but it dragged on for 22 years until now.

How serious is the government in facilitating autonomy for the Cordillera? And, how serious are the people in seeing autonomy happen? While we celebrate Cordillera Month, what are we celebrating for? Where is our passion for what Cordillera and what does autonomy mean? ]

Since two plebiscites had been rejected by the people of Cordillera on regional autonomy in 1990 and 1998 and, this move for autonomy is still vague in the minds of the people. Obviously, the survey some months back says 40 percent don’t. Yet, first the people have to do their practical part in acting out what self determination means.

Claiming for what is due is one’s right, an indication of being conscious about autonomy. Yet, I haven’t heard of tribes in the Cordillera claiming for their taxes due from Napocor or tribes from Mountain Province claiming for their taxes due from SMART. It’s only the enlightened officials who are claiming what is due their respective jurisdictions like governors Fongwan and Baguilat. The others?
Meantime, we ask: Where did the P30 million fund drive for autonomy go? It would be good for the regional development council to explain where the money went and let the public know what autonomy is all about.

Also, what did the defunct Cordillera Executive Board do? After a few years in operation, it is interesting to ask what it had done for the Cordillera and the preparations it did in paving the way for regional autonomy. Perhaps we can learn from there. Then, we can celebrate.

Reprinted from Northern Philippine Times

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