Provincial Administrator Atty. Amador Batay-an of Mt. Province committed to support Ambisyon Natin 2040 during the Ambisyon Natin 2040 Cordillera Provincial Forum conducted last December at Mount Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC), Bontoc, Mt. Province.
“You are assured of our steadfast support to the attainment of the AmBisyon Natin vision because as part of the Filipino society, we are responsible in contributing our share in the development not only of the Mt. Province but of the entire country as well, ” Atty. Batay-an said during his opening message.
At the forum, NEDA Regional Office (NRO)-CAR Development Research Division Chief Carmel Matabang presented the Ambisyon Natin 2040 overview while Policy Formulation and Planning Division Chief Engr. Dolores Molintas, discussed how government intends to implement the AmBisyon Natin vision that cuts across four administrations.
Mr. Gary Pekas of the provincial government of Mt. Province who is also a member of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Speakers Bureau on Autonomy also gave a brief presentation on the Cordillera people’s history and struggle for self-determination that led to the region’s pursuit of autonomy.
During the open forum, MPSPC President Dr. Rexton Chakas raised the urgency of developing the rural areas to correct the seeming bias towards urban development. He also suggested that the proposed policy of providing free tertiary education be carefully evaluated as its disadvantages may outweigh its advantages.
The forum was attended by 168 participants wherein 80 percent were college and high school students. The rest were representatives from the provincial and municipal local government units and offices.
The forum was one in a series of activities conducted by the NRO-CAR to advocate the AmBisyon Natin 2040 in the Cordillera region. The regional launching was conducted last November in Baguio City, followed by a forum for the Regional Statistics Committee last December 5 which was also held in Baguio City.
ARD Jedidia L. Aquino, NRO-CAR
Photos by NRO-CAR