A member of the Benguet Provincial Board is urging Cordillerans to review and support a congressional bill that would elevate the region from an administrative to a fully autonomous region.
Board Member Jim Botiwey said the move will give the Cordillera Administrative Region greater control over its governance and natural resources.
Botiwey said the region’s bid for autonomy has long been overdue following Cordillera’s establishment as an administrative region in 1987 to prepare it for eventual autonomy.
“A government official, I really am convinced with the idea that we should become autonomous now,” Botiwey said, emphasizing that the final decision rests with the electorate, particularly younger generations.
He urged residents to read House Bill No. 6981, titled “An Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region” filed in the 20th Congress by all congressman from the Cordillera including three partylists.
If passed, the bill will convert CAR into an autonomous region pursuant to Article X of the 1987 Constitution but will need a plebiscite for the conversion to be ratified.
Botiwey called full autonomy “the only way forward” for the Cordillera, noting that while residents currently benefit from regional government offices, an autonomous setup would yield far greater advantages.
“Kadagiti annak ken ad-ading mi, dagiti future generation, we hope nga you will help us decide. It will redound to your benefit,” Botiwey said, addressing the region’s youth.
Acknowledging concerns that voting for autonomy might prevent provinces from reverting to the old administrative setup if they later opt out, Botiwey called it “a possibility,” but expressed confidence that voters will ultimately support the measure. Jerome Jacy Cruz | UC Intern
