MEMBERS of the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) called for unity among Cordillerans in order to achieve autonomy during the kick-off program of the unity gong, as part of the celebration of the Cordillera’s 30th anniversary.
Each year, the unity gong is relayed among Cordillera provinces.
It started on July 8 and will continue until July 14 on Benguet province and will continue to the different provinces in the region.
This year’s gong is bigger compared to last year, which, Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso said, signifies something larger for all residents of the region which is autonomy.
“In RDC, we believe that we can actually improve and develop better under an autonomous set-up,” said RDC vice-chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) regional director Milagros Rimando.
The clamor of autonomy continues as RDC Chairman and Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan asked Cordillerans to be united in order to convince the national government in the region’s bid for autonomy.
“Unity is the key to our autonomy,” Domogan said. “Believe it or not, the national government does not want to give us our autonomy which is why they are looking for a justification to not grant it to us. And the justification that can really derail our clamor for autonomy is our disunity. The moment that we are disunited, the national government will say it is our own fault because we do not want autonomy.”
Illustrating the benefit of having autonomy in the region, Domogan cited how tax collection under an autonomous set-up will benefit the Cordillera.
Domogan said Benguet Corporation and the Lepanto Mines, two of the biggest gold and copper-mining companies, respectively, pay their taxes in Makati. The resources they use, however, is from the Cordillera.
Under an autonomous set-up, investors would have to pay their taxes within the municipalities and provinces in the Cordillera where they do their business, Domogan added.
“This is the future of the Cordilleras. The future of the children of our children,” Domogan said. “Whether you like it or not, whether I like it or not, whether we are autonomous or not, you and I will be affected. That again, will tell us that, indeed, this is the future of the Cordilleras which is why to all of us, therefore, let us contribute to achieve autonomy, the Cordillera unity.”
For this year, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples and Benguet will lead the gong relay.
The gong, a percussion instrument from the highlands, is used by Cordilleran tribes when celebrating their rituals in order to ward off evil spirits. (Jenny Alexis Caburian and Arianne Jo Julaton/UP Baguio interns)