BAGUIO CITY — Ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, leaders of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are giving President Rodrigo Duterte a good grade for his management of the country and his Build, Build, Build program. They are also hoping that the President will mention the region’s clamor for autonomy in his speech before the country’s legislators and citizens.
Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who also sits as the chairman of the Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC), said Friday he is giving the President a score of 9 out of 10.
Domogan said the President has been doing an “exemplary job” in curbing criminality, illegal drugs, and corruption.
The mayor from northern Philippines also noted Duterte’s numerous infrastructure and economic development projects, signed laws, and provision of more social welfare programs and health and education projects.
As for Domogan, Duterte was able to make programs that benefit hundreds of thousands of Filipinos work in his first two years of leading the country, making the people actually feel the changes he had promised.
Domogan also expressed hope that the President would mention in his SONA the Cordillera leaders’ call for autonomy.
“How I wish the good President will include Autonomy in his SONA, which is of the same constitutional basis as that of the Bangsamoro,” he said.
Other Cordillera officials have echoed Domogan’s opinion of the President.
But aside from praising Duterte’s kind of leadership and their wish for him to continue such, they also had some requests to the President.
Mountain Province Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan said earlier his province is “glad and proud” to have benefitted from the “Build, Build, Build” program, which would eventually connect them with other provinces and municipalities in the region.
Lacwasan also asked for more road projects to finish up the link-up roads.
For his part, Ifugao Governor Pedro Mayam-o said the Ifugaos are also beneficiaries of the build, build, build program, which has allowed the paving of roads in Ifugao and helped improve the province’s agricultural sector and the promotion of its heirloom rice and other organic produce.
Like Domogan, Mayam-o also is also hoping the President includes the Cordillera autonomy issue in his upcoming SONA.
He added that he hopes Duterte will endorse the immediate passage of the new Constitution proposed by the Consultative Commission toward a federal form of government.
Apayao Vice Governor Remy Albano said the President “is doing well” in administering the country.
“I am amazed how he controls graft and corruption, illegal drugs. Before, the people do not have discipline, but now they act accordingly, complying with the rules and regulations implemented,” he said.
Albano added that with the help of the programs of the administration, they would become the “seed capital of the north,” through the road projects that link them to neighboring Regions 1 and 2.
Kalinga Vice Governor James Edduba also said he and his constituents are hoping to hear the inclusion of the Cordillera autonomy in the President’s SONA.
“(We hope) the President’s fight on illegal drugs will continue and that the Philippine National Police will continue to strengthen its thrust to curb criminality, graft, and corruption,” he said.
Edduba added the province had received about PHP1.2 billion for the protection of its Chico River.
For this, he said, they are thankful, but he also hopes some portion of the fund will be allotted for road construction and repair for better travel within the province and to other provinces in the region, as well as Region 2.
Abra Vice Governor Ronald Balao-as expressed hope that the President will not only talk about federalism in his SONA but also Cordillera’s clamor for self-determination under an autonomous regional government.
Balao-as said numerous infrastructure projects had been brought to Abra by the present government like additional bridges and roads.
He said his province used to get only “measly projects” in the previous administration.
During the 31st founding anniversary celebration of Cordillera last July 15, other personalities in the region also commented on the President’s leadership.
Baguio City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Federico Martin said the President should also consider a salary increase for teachers and non-teaching personnel for them to be motivated.
“The fact that they were able to increase the salaries of our policemen, I think they can also increase the salary of our educators,” he said.
Martin stressed that peace always emanates from the mind of students, who are nurtured by teachers. (PNA)
