The Regional Development Council of the Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) during its meeting last September 12, 2013 approved the conduct of a Regional Summit on Autonomy.

RDC Acting Secretary and NEDA OIC-Assistant Director Florida Faculo said it is essential to convene a summit to determine the true sentiments of the Cordillerans on regional autonomy.

The summit will ensure that all stakeholders are represented. The summit will bring together all the Cordillera Congressmen, representatives from Government agencies, Local Government Units from CAR provinces and municipalities, Civil Society Organizations and church-based Non-government organizations, Private Organizations and other stakeholders such as the former Cordillera Regional Consultative Commission Commissioners and Cordillera Panel Chief Negotiators, representatives of “tribes” and “sub-tribes”, clans and sub-clans from the provinces and cities of CAR.

Among the topics to be discussed will be the historical and political context, legal and development arguments on regional autonomy. It is expected that related issues, concerns and recommendations will be gathered.