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Representation Proposed for Mountain Provinces

Claro Q. Esoen writes from Manila
REGIONAL autonomy may not be the only path leading towards the achievement of political stability and economic prosperity in the Cordilleras. The Cordilleras consist of mountain provinces in northern Philippines.
With the failure of the proposed Cordillera Autonomous Region to win an endorsement from the various units it covers. proponents of regional autonomy may want to consider other alternatives.
One is representation for Cordtllerans in the different branches of government
In this exercise they can probably learn from the experience of Laos which, like the Philippines. Is a poly-ethnic society. Laos has 47 ethnic groups. They account for about 10 per cent of the country's estimated 3.9 million population.
The Philippines, on the other hand, has about 86 tribal communities, making up some 18 per cent of the national population of over 60 million.
The Philippines Is Just now trying to set up autonomous regions as provided for in the 1986 constitution. Laos actually has set up autonomous zones earlier and had only dismantled the system in 1975.
Both French and American colonial rulers chose lo keep
the Laotian ethnic groups as relatively separate entities apparently in pursuit of a "divide and rule" policy.
The French, who made Laos their protectorate tn 1893. adopted a cross-racial administrative system which kepi the various ethnic groups mainly to themselves.
When the Americans took control of the country in 1954, they set up 16 autonomous zones, a move likewise interpreted as an attempt to keep the nation divided to facilitalc colonial rule.
The autonomous zones wen-only abolished in 1975 when the Lao People's Democratic Republic was formally set up . The move was prompted by the ruling Pathet Lao's belief that "their continuance will only lead to the establishment of Meo political units, scparal-
ing the Mens from the Laos."
Meos. as explained by Dr. Mayaouri Ngaosyvathn in his paper entitled "Politics of Tribes, Tribal Policies in the Lao People's Democratic Republic." is one of the original three main ethnic groupings tn the country. The three groups the Lao Loun (valley -
dwelling villagers), the Kha (uplanders) and the Miao or Meo (highlanders). A minor group is the Mien or Yao whose ancestors arrived In Laos from South China some-lime in 1840.
Dr. Ngaosyvathn. who was in Manila for the recent National Conference on Philippine Ethnography : Issues in Cultural Pluralism and Nationhood. said the Pathet Lao chose to grant ethnic representations to Ihe tribal com-
munities In national and local branches of governmcnl rather than perpetuate the an tonomous zones setup.
Proportionate representa lion was ensured for ethnic and non-ethnic leaders In various levels of government. Lao-tian ethnic minority members
werc appointed to positions of authority in the national government.
The possibility of representation instead of autonomy for Cordtllerans has emerged following a decision of the Supreme Court that no Cordillera Autonomous Region can be set up with only the province of Ifugao constituting it.
As originally envisioned, the Region was supposed to consist of the provinces of Abra. Benguet. Kafinga-Apayac.
Mountain Province and Ifugao and the city of Baguio.
It was provided for In Re public Act No. 6766, the Cordillera Organic Act. cn acted by Congress to implement the Constitutional provision for the creation of separate autonomous regions in the Cordilleras and in Muslim-dominated parts of Mindanao.
Autonomy, as provided Tor in the Constitution, becomes In effect following the ratiftca lion by the majority of populu lion In the affected areas of organic acts passed by Congress.
The Cordilleras are home to the second largest ethnic groupings In the Philippines, next only to the Muslims In Mindanao. The ethnic Tom muntties are the Bontoks. Ibalois, Isnegs. Itnegs. Kalin* gas. Ifugaos. Iwaks. Ikalahans and Kankanaeys. who number about a million.
In a plebiscite held in January 1990 for the purpose of ratifying the Cordillera OrgtAilc Act. onfy the province of Ifugao voted in favour of autonomy.
Given the Laotian experience. some experts now advise the Philippine governmcnl lo consider representation of the -Cordtllerans in various branches of government.
— Depthneios Asia