BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Regional Development Council will formally open the 37th Cordillera Month celebration on Monday(July 1) with the theme, “Multiculturalism Towards Regional Autonomy and Development.”
The National Commission on Indigenous People-Cordillera with elders will kick off the opening day with a traditional ritual at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center. It will be followed by a multicultural parade from the newly opened Carantes Street at lower Session Road going up to the BCCC for the program proper.
The multicultural parade will be participated by officials and representatives from different government line agencies, local government units, the academe, civil society organizations, and the other sectors.
In the program, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong who chairs the Development Administration and Good Governance Sectoral Committee, this year’s sectoral host, will deliver the welcome remarks, and RDC Chairperson and Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr. for the opening message.
RDC Vice Chairperson and NEDA-CAR Regional Director Susan Sumbeling will present the calendar of activities for the Cordillera Month celebration.
Cordillera congressional representatives, governors and heads of the multicultural groups are expected to deliver their respective solidarity messages and commitment of support to the pursuit of the regional autonomy and development.
Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon Assistant Secretary Ana Carmela Remigio and Presidential Assistant for the Cordillera Administrative Region Assistant Secretary Antonio Tabora Jr. are also expected to grace the occasion and deliver their solidarity messages.
With Abra as the host local government unit for this year’s Cordi Month celebration, the main activity will be held on July 15 in Bangued with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the expected guest of honor.
Among the events lined up for the month-long observance are the Unity Gong Relay, the Cordillera Fun Bike, and the Multicultural Variety Show.
The culmination program will be on July 31 in Baguio City which will be highlighted by the State of the Region Address to be delivered by the RDC chairperson Apayao Governor Elias Bulut Jr. and the turn-over of hosting for the 38th Cordillera Month celebration.
The Cordillera Administrative Region was established in accordance with Executive Order 220, signed on July 15, 1987. The creation of the Cordillera region laid the groundwork for the creation of an autonomous region in the Cordilleras.
July of every year is celebrated as the Cordillera Month to commemorate a significant historical event and to promote greater awareness, deeper appreciation, and active participation among the people of the Cordilleras in the pursuit of regional autonomy. (RMC-PIA CAR)
