BAGUIO CITY -- A political analyst called on Cordillerans to continue working to become an autonomous region.

“We should not be in a hurry in pursuing autonomy for the Cordillera region,” said Commission on Higher Education Commissioner, Dr. Alex Brillantes, during the Regional Conference on Cordillera and Bangsamoro Autonomy organized by the Cordillera Regional Development Council at the Baguio Convention Center last week.

In his lecture entitled “International Experiences in Politico-Administrative Decentralization and Regional Autonomy,” Brillantes presented that several regions in different countries took time - years and decades- for them to achieve autonomy.

Brillantes, a Baguio born and bred professor, explained that countries such as the United States of America, Canada, Spain and Yugoslavia took decades with different approaches  and even sacrificing lives just to have autonomous status which is now being enjoyed by their  citizens today.

“We should build on the gains of the past, we should build on what we have done in the previous attempts and we should work on it so that the dream of Cordillera autonomous status will be achieved, maybe not this time but in the future,” he said.

The different autonomy activities or efforts made in the past and including the present advocacies should be reviewed and be used in the pursuit of autonomy since many could be learned and applied from these undertakings, he added.

Brillantes also said that the Cordillera could learn from the lessons of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and the now Bangsamoro Basic Law being deliberated in Congress. He said that lessons from the autonomous region of Mindanao are very much useful since BBL and Cordillera’s pursuit for regional autonomy are similar as both aim to push for progress and development in the area.

The creation of autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras is provided  in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. While the ARMM was established in 1989, that of  the  Cordillera failed in two attempts, and the RDC is leading the pursuit for regional autonomy for the third time  with House Bill 4649 now pending in Congress.

Meanwhile, Cordillera officials are convinced that the autonomy for the Cordillera region will not  be passed under the Aquino administration.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan explained that with the few months left before election period starts in the country and  with the several issues in Congress, there is no way that the HB 4649 or an Act Establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region would be passed.

RDC Cordillera vice chair NEDA Regional Director Milagros Rimando said that even with time running out for the passage of the Cordillera autonomy, the RDC is still continuing with the various activities and information campaign for Cordillera autonomy.

Rimando said that the re-strategized campaign of Cordillera autonomy which includes the Information, Education and Communication drive by the RDC in partnership with the different sectors and groups regionwide is strengthened and now having better results with more people  understanding and supporting Cordillera autonomy.