BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Development Council chairperson and Baguio City Mayor Domogan called for continuing partnership with regional line agencies, local chief executives and other stakeholders in the region in working together towards sustainable economic growth and autonomy.
Domogan made this call during the 2016 State of the Region (SORe) report and 2017 Mayor’s Summit at the Mansion House on Friday. He stressed that sustainable economic growth should be guided by the 2017 – 2022 Cordillera Regional Development Plan and the Philippine Development Plan towards the government’s long term vision of “Ambisyon Natin 2040” that carries the slogan “Maginhawa, Matatag at Panatag na Buhay”.
The 2016 State of the Region report showed that Cordillera’s economy has slowly and steadily grown, employment has increased and poverty has been reduced despite the need to revive the agriculture sector, revitalize industry and sustain growth in the services sector.
Domogan also highlighted the improvement in governance with more local government units awarded with the Seal of Good Local Governance, and improvement in peace and order situation with reduction in index crime volume and average monthly index crime rate.
He also noted positive outlook on the region’s infrastructure development, social services, environment and natural resources and on indigenous peoples concerns.
RDC Vice Chair and NEDA Regional Director Milagros Rimando also provided a spatial assessment of regional development and the report of the RDC Economic Development Committee; DILG Regional Director Marlo Iringan reported on accompl ishments of the Development Administration sector; DPWH RD Nerie Bueno for the Iinfrastructure Development Sector; DSWD Director Janet Armas for the Social Development Sector; Rosella Bahni for Indigenous Peoples’ Concerns, and DENR – Environment Management Bureau Regional Director Reynaldo Digamo for Watershed and Environmental Management sector during the summit.
Domogan also called for unity in pushing for continuing quest for regional autonomy with House Bill (5343) already re –filed in Congress last March 20. Let us continue our advocacy for regional autonomy first before federalism, he stressed.
For RDC, the attainment of regional autonomy will enhance the Cordillera identity as a region and will bring in responsive policies and progress for all, Domogan added. /PIA CAR
