LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines — Representatives and local chief executives from the six provinces and the city of Baguio expressed support for regional autonomy during the 39th Cordillera Month Kick off ceremony held at the Benguet Sports Complex Gymnasium, Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet on July 1, 2026.
Hosted by the Provincial Local Government Unit, together with the Regional Development Council- CAR, through its Economic Development (EconDev) Committee as lead, this year’s month-long celebration carries the theme, “𝘚𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘊𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢: 𝘌𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘋𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘈𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘺.”
As host Governor, Benguet Governor Dr. Melchor D. Diclas welcomed delegates from across the Cordillera and reaffirmed the province’s support for the region’s long-standing aspiration for autonomy.
He emphasized that realizing regional self-governance required the continued unity, cooperation, and collective commitment of Cordillerans, while honoring the leaders, elders, and advocates whose efforts have sustained the autonomy movement through the years.
Diclas also called on government officials, stakeholders, and communities to continue advancing the autonomy agenda through dialogue, collaboration, and shared responsibility, stressing that an autonomous Cordillera would enable the region to pursue more responsive governance and inclusive, sustainable development.
Solidarity messages supporting the pursuit of regional autonomy were also delivered by RDC Chairperson and Apayao Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., represented by RDC Co-Chairperson Arnel M. Cabanisas; Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan, with councilor Fred L. Bagbagen representing Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong of Baguio City; Hon. Armando I. Lauro representing Congressman Eric Go Yap; Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog and Vice Governor Jose O. Dominguez representing Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. of Mountain Province, Vice Governor Ana Marie A. Bersamin representing Governor Eustaquio P. Bersamin of Abra, and Mr. Ryan Mangusan representing Cong. Kenneth Paolo Tereng of KM Partylist. Messages were also conveyed through video messages by Ifugao Governor Jerry U. Dalipog and Kalinga Governor James S. Edduba.
Vice Governor Marie Rose T. Fongwan- Kepes also expressed her message of support emphasizing the unity the cordilleran leaders have which can strengthen the pursuit of regional autonomy.
Sealing the messages in a symbolic show of unity, Cordillera leaders, along with line agencies, private sector representatives, Civil Society Organizations and delegates from the six provinces and the City of Baguio, participated in the beating of the unity gong.
The month-long celebration will feature major activities including the Fashion Show and Governor’s Night on July 14, the parade, ritual, and main program on July 15, and the culmination program on July 31.
