Lawmakers want autonomous region in the Cordilleras

MANILA, Philippines - A Cordilleras Autonomous Region (CAR) is being envisioned to replace the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Bill 4649 was filed at the House of Representatives to seek an Organic Act for the CAR.

Seven lawmakers from Northern Luzon want to hold a plebiscite for the proposed CAR Organic Act.

They are Representatives Nicasio Aliping Jr. of Baguio City, Manuel Agyao of Kalinga, Teddy Baguilat Jr. of Ifugao, Eleanor Bulut-Begtang of Apayao, Ma. Jocelyn Bernos of Abra, Ronald Cosalan of Benguet and Maximo Dalog of Mountain Province.

“Cordillera autonomy will bring to the national attention as well the benefits of accepting and promoting cultural diversity through the formulation of multi-cultural policies for indigenous peoples (IPs) and indigenous cultural communities (ICCs),” they said.

House Bill 4649 was filed last June 11, three months after the government signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.