Budgetary concerns will be among the stumbling blocks in pursuing Cordillera’s quest for autonomy.
Atty. Willybroth Managtag, during a recent press forum said to be able to hurdle the budgetary concerns, proponents of Cordillera autonomy are proposing a 3% national government grant in a fresh bid to overcome the steep financial objections that killed previous autonomy legislation in Congress.
Managtag said the proposed funding framework, embedded in House Bill No. 6981, aims to satisfy executive branch economic managers who previously blocked the region’s path to autonomy over budget concerns.
The bill is currently pending before the House Committee on Local Government, but its proponents acknowledge that its survival hinges on the House Appropriations Committee.
“Ang pinaka-hard na stumbling block diyan is Appropriations Committee. In fact, doon natenga yung previous House Bill kasi yung mga economic managers ng executive branch, nag-object sila sa lahat ng mga financial considerations na nakalagay sa House Bill,” Managtag said.
To address those fiscal concerns, advocates worked with financial consultants and government line agencies to calculate the minimum revenue required to run an autonomous regional government.
The proposed 3% national grant is designed to cover operational costs without dipping into or reducing the existing internal revenue shares of local government units (LGUs).
“Kaya na-invite yung mga government line agencies. Lumabas ang kinakailangan nating 3% grant sana na kailangan natin sa gobyerno para ma-maintain natin yung regional autonomous government,” Managtag said.
The draft legislation also seeks to expand the regional tax base by requiring corporations operating within the Cordillera to pay their local taxes directly to the region rather than at their central headquarters.
Managtag added clear funding mechanisms are critical not only for passing Congress, but also for building public trust ahead of a regional plebiscite.
“We expect na sana bago pa mag-2028, makapag-plebiscite na tayo. Pero kung kinakailangan ng mas matagal na IEC, okay naman tayo doon para mabigyan ng chance ang ating mga kapatid para malaman at maintindihan mas maigi kung ano ang nilalaman ng Organic Act,” Managtag added. Jerome Jacy Cruz | UC Intern
