One Cordillera

09/08/2026

🌍 August 9 is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples! 🏔️✨

Established by the UN General Assembly in December 1994, this day honors the rich cultural diversity, ancestral wisdom, and lasting resilience of Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

Indigenous Peoples represent over 5,000 distinct cultures across the globe and speak the majority of the world's 7,000 languages. Yet, many continue to fight for land rights, self-determination, and protection against marginalization.

Here in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), our cultural tapestry is defined by a vibrant mosaic of ethnicities[cite: 3]. Based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA):

📊 Top Ethnicities in CAR (2020):
• Ilocano – 22.1%
• Kankanaey – 19.0%
• Kalinga – 10.1%
• Ibaloy – 8.9%
• Itneg/Tinguian – 5.6%
• Tuwali – 4.3%
• Ayangan – 3.9%
• Tagalog – 3.5%
• Applai – 3.1%
• Kalanguya – 2.8%
• Bontok – 2.5%

Honoring Indigenous Peoples means protecting their rights, preserving native languages, and supporting self-determination through genuine regional autonomy. 🌲
🌾

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07/08/2026

🧵 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰? 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 (𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓) 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 & 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬! 🇵🇭✨

Established under Executive Order No. 128 in 1987, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) is mandated to:
1️⃣ Conduct applied R&D for the textile industry
2️⃣ Transfer completed research to end-users and communities
3️⃣ Provide technical services, testing, and training programs

In the Cordillera, this mission comes alive through vibrant collaboration! ⛰️

During the "Kordilyera: Threads of Innovation" Fashion Show at the Benguet Sports Complex in La Trinidad, DOST-CAR and DOST-PTRI demonstrated how scientific research and modern design revitalize traditional weaves. Led by DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy Bantog and partner agencies, the event featured contemporary apparel, upcycled Filipinianas, and Philippine Tropical Fabric (PTF) office wear.

This celebration proves that scientific innovation and regional heritage go hand-in-hand—safeguarding our cultural identity while weaving sustainable, empowered livelihoods for Cordilleran weavers. 🌾👚

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06/08/2026

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 ⛰️✨

As Cordillera Month comes to a close, we look back on a vibrant month filled with rich history, diverse cultures, and the shared achievements of our people.

But Cordillera Month is more than a celebration of who we are—it is a reaffirmation of where we aspire to go.

Beyond the festivities lies our continuing pursuit of regional autonomy as envisioned in the Constitution. True autonomy means building a governance system that is deeply responsive to the unique needs, identity, and aspirations of the Cordillera.

By honoring our heritage while understanding the vision of self-determination, we strengthen our collective commitment to an empowered, inclusive, and resilient region.

Watch our month-in-review reel and join us as we carry this momentum forward! 🌲

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05/08/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞—𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥. 🌾⚠️

The severe 2024 El Niño episode exposed how vulnerable agriculture-dependent regions like the Cordillera are to recurring climate shocks. In Kalinga, assessments by CARE Philippines and CorDIS RDS recorded dried-up fields, failed harvests, and drying mountain springs in municipalities like Rizal and Balbalan.

The impacts went beyond agriculture—bringing rising household debt, health risks like heat-related illnesses, and severe strain on local communities.

Centralized disaster response often arrives too late for time-sensitive highland farming cycles. A genuine Cordillera Autonomous Region offers a faster, localized, and climate-responsive approach:

💧 Localized Water & Watershed Management: Tailored to unique upland hydrology and mountain springs.
🌾 Highland Agri-Support: Climate-resilient inputs aligned with local cropping systems.
⚡ Rapid Disaster Relief: Swift deployment of emergency cash-for-work, food aid, and fuel subsidies.
🏥 Integrated Regional Health & Security: Coordinating water access, public health, and disaster response.
🤝 Community-Led Adaptation: Inclusive grassroots strategies built on local realities

Regional autonomy isn't about separation—it's about building the structural resilience needed to protect our farmers, secure our food supply, and respond effectively to climate emergencies. 🏔️✨

https://www.facebook.com/depdev.cordillera
https://www.facebook.com/RDCsaCordi

04/08/2026

🚀 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡-𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 6981 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 🏔️💡

Genuine regional autonomy is about more than self-governance—it is about equipping the Cordillera with the legal tools to modernize, innovate, and thrive in a digital era.

House Bill No. 6981 (Organic Act for the Cordillera Autonomous Region) paves the way for a modern, tech-driven region by embedding explicit provisions for scientific research, digital governance, renewable energy, and appropriate technology[cite: 4]:

📚 SEC. 16: Community Responsive Education — Fostering science, appropriate technology, and innovative methodologies in schools while honoring indigenous knowledge and practices.
🌿 SEC. 18: Sustainable Resource Management — Mandating environmentally sound technologies and prioritizing renewable energy to support local industries.
📡 SEC. 88: Modern Transport & Digital Government — Establishing robust communications systems, alternative transport, and digital government reforms for faster public service.
🌾 SEC. 107 (a): Tech-Driven Agriculture — Pursuing multidisciplinary R&D to invent farm machinery, improve crop productivity, and enhance value-addition.
🔬 SEC. 120: Priority on Indigenous & Appropriate Technology — Prioritizing scientific and indigenous research across all educational and research institutions.

By combining traditional knowledge with modern technology, autonomy empowers the Cordillera to lead its own sustainable development. 🌲💻

https://www.facebook.com/depdev.cordillera
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🔗 Explore the statutory provisions in HB 6981 to see how autonomy drives innovation.

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

04/08/2026

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎 | 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐄𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐂. 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐭, 𝐉𝐫. called for unity in supporting the pursuit of Cordillera autonomy during his 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, held on July 31, 2026, in La Trinidad, Benguet.

04/08/2026

𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊 | 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐃𝐞𝐯-𝐂𝐀𝐑 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development–Cordillera Administrative Region (DEPDev-CAR) and the Social Preparation of CAR into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) Program of the Regional Development Council (RDC-CAR) strengthened the integration of development planning and regional autonomy through their presentations in the 2026 Regional Planners' Training, organized by the League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines, Inc. (LLPDCPI)–CAR Chapter, on July 28, 2026. EnP Flordeliza Moldero, President of the Regional League and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) of the province of Kalinga, in her welcome message highlighted the critical role of planners in crafting development plans that are the bases of investment programs and the efficient implementation of projects for inclusive development.

Mr. Jose H. Dado, Jr., Chief Economic Development Specialist of the Policy Formulation and Planning Division (PFPD) of DEPDev-CAR, discussed the key planning frameworks guiding local development planning. His presentation covered the mandates of DEPDev and development planning, as well as the ​current Philippine planning system ​and recommendations to harmonize national and local development planning.
He also discussed the RDC budget review and endorsement process, along with the RDC guidelines for the endorsement of projects.

In the session on regional autonomy and development, Mr. Dado also provided participants with an overview of the Cordillera autonomy journey, tracing its historical milestones, the vision of self-governance for the region, and the salient provisions of House Bill No. 6981, which seeks to establish the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

Following the introduction of regional autonomy, Ms. Nichole Justine Jacildone of the SPCAR Program, presented the findings of the fiscal viability study on the establishment of the Cordillera Autonomous Region. She delved into the study's key findings on the proposed autonomous region's fiscal capacity, projected revenue sources, expenditure requirements, and long-term financial sustainability. The study likewise demonstrated that the proposed autonomous region possesses the financial potential to effectively exercise devolved powers and responsibilities under an autonomous government.

The sessions culminated in an open forum where LGU planners engaged the speakers on key issues surrounding local planning and autonomy mechanics, including the possible status of provinces that would not vote in favor of autonomy during the plebiscite, and the presence of anti-dynasty safeguards within the proposed legislation.

𝐵𝑦 𝑁𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 𝐽𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑂. 𝐽𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑆𝑃𝐶𝐴𝑅

03/08/2026

⏳ 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞?

Autonomy isn't solely the responsibility of legislators and government agencies. While House Bill 6981 is being deliberated in Congress, Cordillerans, especially the youth, can strengthen the advocacy for autonomy. Meaningful change takes both institutional action and citizen participation.

Here are 5 ways to take part, starting today:

🔎 Fact-finding — autonomy is the issue. Gather the facts.
📝 Planning — turn what you learn into an advocacy plan.
📖 Engaging with policy — get to know HB 6981.
📣 Building momentum — join forums, meetings, and consultations.
🌱 Lifestyle choices — live the principles you stand for, every day.

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓳𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓮𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓸𝓷𝓸𝓶𝔂 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭𝓼 𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓸𝓯 𝓾𝓼.

Swipe through to find your starting point.