BAGUIO CITY – The Cordillera Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) enjoins the public and private sector to support the initiatives toward good governance, innovation and the advancement of the recognition, protection of indigenous peoples (IP) rights during its third quarter meeting on September 8, 2022 in Baguio City.
On motion of Regional Dir. Leo L. Quintilla of the Social Welfare and Development Field Office (DSWD-CAR), the body approved the resolution enjoining support to the Joint Resolution of the regional offices of the DSWD, the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in ensuring the non-partisan implementation of social protection programs and services in the region.
Regional Dir. Juliet P. Lucas of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) presented the programs of the Technological Consortium for Awareness, Readiness, and Advancement of Knowledge in Innovation, TARAKI in short. She said that taraki is most fitting reference for this initiative as this is the local term for smart. She reiterated that innovation is the new policy direction to spur development governed by the laws on Philippine Innovation and Innovation Startup.
The resolution enjoining support to the Indigenous Peoples Month and the 25th commemoration of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) in October was also approved. The IPRA recognizes and promotes the rights of IPs passed into law in 1997.
The RDC meeting was presided by its Vice-Chair in the absence of a new Chair, NEDA Regional Director Susan A. Sumbeling. This was the first meeting attended by the newly elected local chief executives and CAR House Representatives sitting as members. The CAR Representatives also serve as the Advisory Committee of the body.
By Marissa M. Cabato