Posted on

In its strategic planning conference on April 5-7, 2008 at Sagada and Bontoc, Mt. Province, the RDC-CAR reviewed its Action Agenda for 2006-2010 including its Regional Autonomy Action Plans. The RDC then mapped out the remaining 2007 carry-over as well as the 2008 and beyond tasks in terms of priority thrusts for 2008-2010.

It identified 28 priority thrusts under the 10 Key Focus Areas of Regional Development outlined in the CAR Regional Development Plan, all streamlined and refocused towards preparing the region for autonomy.

 


Cordillera Development Vision

We, the people of the Cordilleras, proud of our culture and heritage

rooted in spirituality, shall have a truly autonomous region

of enlightened and empowered citizenry who shall pursue

sustainable development where responsibilities and benefits

are equitably shared by all.

We will undertake the following strategic actions for 2008 to 2010:

Physical Integration:

  1. Accelerate and strengthen efforts to directly connect all provincial capitals in the region through the regional trunk line and the laterals. The RDC shall also maximize, capitalize on and take advantage of the present administration’s support for CAR’s road development program.

    Specifically, the RDC shall ensure that all SONA Projects and Presidential commitments are fully financed, closely monitored, and satisfactorily completed as planned. It shall facilitate the conduct of feasibility studies for the remaining CRIP sections. Finally, the RDC shall advocate for the conversion of provincial roads that are critical to regional development to national roads and eventually funded as soon as reasonably attainable within 2008-2010.

  2. Ensure that all capital towns and major nodes are provided with reliable communication facilities (i.e., cellular mobile telephone service, internet access, etc.). The RDC shall pursue strategies that shall provide attractive incentives for the private sector and/or roll-out policies for providers to service unserved areas, and conduct IEC regarding perceived negative effects of communication facilities.

Good Governance:

  1. Ensure efficient public institutions where the RDC shall endeavor to harmonize and synchronize agency mandates, and likewise fast-track the review, finalization and utilization of planning standards that are appropriate to the peculiarities of the Cordillera Region.

  2. Improve responsible fiscal management where the RDC shall cause the determination of resources for regional and local development and shall aggressively claim what is due the Cordillera Region by creating a lobby group to support the Domogan Bill and similar enabling bills.

  3. Continue the reinvention of the RDC in pursuit of Regional Autonomy and endeavor to achieve the following:

  1.  
    1.  

      1. Identify and develop indicators along the eight plus areas of governance that the national government shall devolve to the regional government in the event it becomes autonomous;

      2. Conduct capacity building trainings for local government units (LGUs) and regional line agencies (RLAs) towards gradually preparing them to assume functions and responsibilities in an autonomous set-up at the soonest possible time;

      3. Conduct continuing IEC based on the results of the Pulse Survey on Regional Autonomy and subsequent tracking surveys.

Indigenous Culture and Knowledge:

  1. Pursue relentlessly the harmonization of policies and issuances of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Land Registration Authority and other concerned authorities/institutions through the conduct of dialogues among stakeholders.

  2. Aggressively pursue the advocacy of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) through appropriate IEC programs and capability building programs for indigenous peoples/indigenous cultural communities (IPs/ICCs).

  3. Undertake the formulation and adoption of Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs) that will enable IP communities to better chart their development. This shall include the organization of Indigenous Peoples Organizations (IPOs), the conduct of appropriate trainings and seminars, and a Donor’s Forum to elicit support for priority IP projects.

  4. Work out for the appropriation by Congress to implement section 71 of RA 8371 (IPRA).

Pages: 1 2 3