March 29, 2024

The Cordillera Regional Development Council approved the updated Communication Plan of the Social Preparation of Cordillera into an Autonomous Region (SPCAR) program. 
National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera Asst. Regional Director Stephanie Christiansen underscored the transitory nature of the region through Executive Order 220 and rallied regional directors to support the RDC agenda on regional autonomy.
She also presented the proposed 2022 SPCAR Project List and Work and Financial Plan that provides the basis for stakeholder engagement. 
The communication plan is a product of a two-day workshop in which stakeholders from the regional line agencies, local government units, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives assessed the 2019-2020 communication plan to come up with a comprehensive and updated communication plan for 2022-2025. 
The updated communication plan addresses the changing landscape of conducting information, education, and communication (IEC) activities and the change in leadership as a result of the elections.
The updated communication plan employs a two-track overall framework for actions in pursuit of Cordillera autonomy.
It has downstream and upstream approach that seeks to secure the approval of the proposed Cordillera Autonomy bill and its ratification.
The downstream approach intends to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of Cordilleran voters of the need for Cordillera autonomy through intensified IECs in barangays, municipalities, regional line agencies, civil society organizations, business, youth and other sectors.
The upstream approach aims to secure the approval of the bill in both houses of Congress and the President. It targets to build alliances with national leaders for the advancement of the legislative process for the proposed organic act.  
The RDC-Cordillera has taken on the social preparation program since 2006 through IECs to raise support among the Cordillerans, capacitation in preparation for autonomy, and building stronger alliances with national and regional officials to ensure the passage of an acceptable organic act establishing the Cordillera Autonomous Region. – Press release