12/06/2026
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Regional Development CouncilโCordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) Chairperson and Apayao Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., together with Vice Governor Kyle Mariah Chelsea S. Bulut-Cunan, participated in the 1st Public Administration and Indigenous Governance Exchange on Regional Autonomy (P.A.I.G.E.) held on June 11, 2026, at Kalinga State University (KSU), Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
In his keynote address, with the theme, โThe Roadmap to 2029: Consolidating Political Will for a Unified Autonomy Vote,โ Governor Bulut underscored the constitutional foundations of Cordillera autonomy and reflected on the outcomes of the 1990 and 1998 autonomy plebiscites. He emphasized that while previous efforts did not secure the required regional mandate, the present circumstances demonstrate stronger institutions, broader public awareness, and more active participation from various sectors.
Governor Bulut stressed that the discourse on autonomy has evolved from questioning its desirability to determining the most effective mechanisms for its implementation. He further highlighted the crucial role of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in generating evidence-based studies, policy recommendations, and development strategies necessary to support regional self-governance. He likewise encouraged academic institutions to identify economic opportunities within their respective provinces and contribute to the formulation of a comprehensive regional development blueprint for an autonomous Cordillera.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Bulut-Cunan presented her masterโs thesis entitled, โExploring the Lived Experiences and Developmental Roles of Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) Active Auxiliaries (CAA): Foundation for Peace Education in Apayao.โ She was among the selected delegates representing Apayao State CollegeโLuna Campus, where she is currently taking her Masterโs Degree in Public Administration.
The conference was organized by Kalinga State University through the initiative of Dr. Juan Moshe M. Duyan, Conference Coordinator, and featured keynote speakers and academic experts from Taiwan and Indonesia who shared international perspectives on governance, public administration, indigenous systems, and regional development.