REPUBLIC ACT NO.

6766

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR AN ORGANIC ACT FOR

THE CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS REGION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in

Congress assembled:

PREAMBLE

The God of peace, love and justice guiding them, the Filipino people of the Cordillera,
faithful to the struggle of their forbears for the protection of their patrimony and the
preservation of their heritage, in order to secure for themselves and their posterity a
region of peace founded on truth, freedom, justice, love and human solidarity, and
establish a Regional Autonomous Government within the framework of the Constitution
and the national sovereignty as well as the territorial integrity of the Republic of the
Philippines that shall ensure their human rights, their human development, and their
participation in the affairs of the Filipino Nation, do proclaim this Organic Act of the
Cordillera Autonomous Region, through the Congress of the Philippines.

ARTICLE I

THE AUTONOMOUS REGION

NAME AND AREA

SECTION 1. There is hereby created an Autonomous Region in the Cordilleras to be

known as the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

SEC. 2. (A) The area of the Cordillera Autonomous Region shall consist of the city and
the provinces that shall vote favorably in the plebiscite called for the ratification of this
Organic Act pursuant to Section 18, Article X of the Constitution.

(B) The area of the plebiscite shall be the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province,
Ifugao, Abra and Kalinga-Apayao, and the chartered City of Baguio.

ARTICLE II

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

SECTION 1. The Cordillera Autonomous Region is an integral and inseparable part of

the territory of the Republic of the Philippines.

The People of the Autonomous Region shall uphold the Constitution as the fundamental
law of the land and unequivocally owe allegiance and fidelity to the Republic of the
Philippines.
The Autonomous Region shall be governed and administered in accordance with this
Organic Act.

SEC. 2. Autonomy ensures for the people of the Cordilleras the right to secure for
themselves their ancestral domain, develop their economy, promote their cultural
heritage, and establish a system of self-governance within the framework of the
Philippine Constitution and national sovereignty, as well as the territorial integrity of the
Philippines.

SEC. 3. All government authority emanates from the people and shall be exercised with
their democratic participation, representation and consent.

SEC. 4. It is the primary duty of the Regional Government to ensure and protect the
basic individual and collective rights of its constituents, as enshrined in the Constitution
and this Organic Act.

SEC. 5. The people of the Cordilleras aspire for peace founded on justice and
reverence for human life and dignity. The promotion of peace shall include the
renunciation of all forms of lawless violence, cruelty, vengeance and discrimination.

SEC. 6. The common good requires equal access to resources, employment, and
services by all ethnic, social and economic sectors and the adoption of measures for the
democratic sharing of wealth, power and opportunities without distinctions based on
ethnic origin, sex, language, political conviction, economic or social status or religious
belief. The Regional Government shall adopt policies necessary to minimize the
disparities between rich and poor, rural and urban areas and among territorial
subdivisions.

SEC. 7. The people of the Cordilleras have the right, especially through their voluntary
organizations and movements, to participate and be equitably represented at
appropriate levels of social, economic and political decision-making and in the
formulation and implementation of local, regional and national priorities, plans,
programs and projects, and to monitor their implementation.

SEC. 8. The development of the region requires the creation of an environment that
shall provide for the basic human needs and ensure a rising standard of living for all.

The people of the region shall have prior right to the utilization and development of the
natural, material, and fiscal resources of the region.

The natural, material and fiscal resources of the region shall be put to optimum and just
use primarily for the benefit of the people of the Cordilleras.

The conservation and protection of the natural environment by the Cordillera

Autonomous Region and its people is an essential dimension of regional development.
The Regional Government shall promote a balanced and sustainable economic growth
and development in the region.

SEC. 9. It is the task of the Cordillera Autonomous Region to establish within the
framework of the national system of education, as defined in the Constitution and
national laws, an educational system, both formal and non-formal, that provides for its
people an education of the best quality within its means; responds to the needs of
Cordillera communities; encourages creativity and critical thinking; promotes science
and appropriate technology; respects indigenous culture; inculcates respect for human
rights and the dignity of work; fosters love of God and neighbor, self-reliance,
nationalism, solidarity and other desirable Filipino values; and contributes to the
common good.

SEC. 10. The development of the youth is a prime duty of the Cordillera Autonomous
Region. Their effective participation and representation in public affairs shall be
guaranteed.

SEC. 11. Civilian authority shall remain supreme at all times for the protection of the
freedom of the people and for the promotion of their safety and welfare.

SEC. 12. The National Government shall provide financial assistance to the Cordillera
Autonomous Region by appropriating such sums as may be necessary to accelerate the
development of the region.

SEC. 13. The Regional Government shall pursue a policy of holding consultations or
public hearings on matters of local and regional priorities, plans and programs as well
as transparency in the implementation of projects affecting the constituents of the local
government units concerned.

SEC. 14. The Regional Government shall pursue a policy of devolution of powers and
functions whereby lower levels of government are entrusted with functions appropriate
to them: Provided, however, That until a regional law implementing this provision is
enacted, the Local Government Code shall be applicable.

SEC. 15. The Regional Government shall recognize the role of organized sectors and
groups to initiate the monitoring and investigation of fund utilization, work contracts and
projects implementation, and the filing of charges for irregularities.

SEC. 16. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to free the people from
poverty, generate employment and develop a self-reliant economy effectively controlled
by Filipinos.

SEC. 17. It is the policy of the Cordillera Autonomous Region to prohibit the
development, storage, use or transport of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons
within the region.
SEC. 18. The Regional Government shall, consistent with the Constitution and national
laws and policies, provide incentives to investors, corporations and businesses but shall
adopt measures to prevent the exploitation of natural and human resources and to
ensure that such activities contribute to the development of the region and the
democratic sharing of wealth and income among the inhabitants and local government
units.

SEC. 19. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, the Regional Government
shall review all forms of future aid or loans to local government units in order to
safeguard autonomy and enhance development.

SEC. 20. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, the Regional Government
shall set guidelines for energy production, public transportation and communications.

SEC. 21. The Regional Government shall institute measures to promote courtesy,
impartiality and integrity in public service and to eradicate nepotism, favoritism, graft
and corruption, red tape and waste.

SEC. 22. The Regional Government shall promote and harmonize the interests of both
labor and capital and shall protect their respective rights.

SEC. 23. The Regional Government shall ensure that women and men enjoy equality
before the law and shall, in particular, prevent sex discrimination in the practice of
professions, in conditions of, and opportunities for, employment or promotion.

SEC. 24. The Regional Government shall enact laws to protect children against all
forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation, particularly in employment harmful to their
moral, physical, or mental health.

SEC. 25. Except under a state of emergency, no military personnel shall be appointed
or designated to any public position which is civilian in character, including government-
owned or controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries in the Regional
Government. Neither shall they be appointed or designated to such positions within five
(5) years from their separation or retirement from the military service.

SEC. 26. The Regional Government shall take measures to prevent torture; other cruel,
inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment; and illegal detention and extra-
judicial executions.

SEC. 27. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, the Regional Government
shall pursue reconciliation efforts and promote peace and demilitarization in the region.

SEC. 28. The above principles and policies shall be in addition to the principles and
policies embodied in the Constitution.

ARTICLE III
 POWERS OF GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1. The Cordillera Autonomous Region is a territorial and political subdivision

administered by the Cordillera Government consisting of the Regional Government and
local government units, under the general supervision of the President, and is hereby
constituted as a municipal corporation vested with all the powers inherent in its
character as such and those expressly granted to it by this Organic Act.

SEC. 2. The Regional Government shall exercise powers and functions necessary for
the proper governance and development of all provinces, cities, municipalities, and
barangay or ili within the Autonomous Region consistent with the declared constitutional
policy on regional and local autonomy and decentralization: Provided, That nothing in
this Act shall be construed as to authorize the diminution of the powers and functions
already enjoyed by local government units.

SEC. 3. (A) The powers and functions of government in the Autonomous Region
granted under Section 20 and 21, Article X of the Constitution shall be, where
appropriate, share and exercised by the Regional Government and the local
government units.

(B) The Autonomous Region is a corporate entity with jurisdiction in all matters devolved
to it by the Constitution and this Organic Act as herein enumerated:

(a) Administrative organization;

(b) Creation of sources of revenues;
(c) Ancestral domain and natural resources;
(d) Personal, family, property and tribal relations;
(e) Urban and rural planning development;
(f) Economic, social and tourism development;
(g) Educational policies;
(h) Preservation and development of the cultural heritage;
(i) Powers, functions and responsibilities now being exercised by the departments of the
National Government except:

(1) Foreign affairs;

(2) National defense and security;
(3) Postal service;
(4) Coinage, and fiscal and monetary policies;
(5) Administration of justice;
(6) Quarantine;
(7) Customs and tariffs;
(8) Citizenship;
(9) Naturalization, immigration and deportation;
(10) General auditing, civil service and elections;
(11) Foreign trade;
(12) Maritime, land and air transportation, and communications that affect areas outside
the Autonomous Region; and
(13) Patents, trademarks, trade names, and copyrights; and

(j) Such other matters as may be authorized by national law for the promotion of the
general welfare of the people in the region.

The Regional Government shall set up appropriate offices, agencies, and

instrumentalities to carry out its powers, functions and responsibilities.

SEC. 4. The Regional Government may exercise the power of eminent domain.

ARTICLE IV

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

SECTION 1. The President shall exercise general supervision over the Regional
Government including the local government units therein, directly or through the
Cordillera Governor, to ensure that national and regional laws are faithfully executed.

SEC. 2. All judicial and quasi-judicial bodies shall continue to exercise their powers as
provided in the Constitution and national laws unless otherwise provided herein.

SEC. 3. The Regional Government, working closely with the people through their non-
governmental organizations and other appropriate institutions, shall initiate and
implement programs and projects in all areas within its scope of authority and
responsibility.

SEC. 4. Each province and city of the region shall continue to be represented in
Congress in such number and proportion as may be determined by national law.

ARTICLE V

THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

SECTION 1. The regional legislative power shall be vested in the Cordillera Assembly,
except to the extent reserved by the Constitution and this Organic Act on initiative and
referendum.

SEC. 2. Provisions of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding, the Cordillera

Assembly may create, divide, merge, abolish or substantially alter boundaries of any
province, city, municipality or barangay or ili subject to approval by a majority of the
votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected. It may also change the
names of such local government units, public places and institutions.

SEC. 3. The Cordillera Assembly shall approve the budget of the Autonomous Region.
SEC. 4. Unless otherwise provided by national law, the Cordillera Assembly shall be
composed of not more than thirty-two (32) Members who shall be elected from regional
assembly districts apportioned by regional law among the provinces and cities in
accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants, and on the basis of a
uniform and progressive ratio, taking into account geography and ethnolinguistic
characteristics: Provided, That each province or city shall have at least one (1) Member.
Each district shall comprise a compact and contiguous territory. The Members shall be
elected by the qualified voters of their respective regional assembly districts.

Within two (2) years after the return of every census, a reapportionment of the regional
assembly districts shall be made by the Cordillera Assembly in accordance with the
criteria hereinabove established.

SEC. 5. (A) The Members of the Cordillera Assembly shall have a term of three (3)
years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by national law, at noon on the
thirty-first day of March next following their election and shall end at noon of the same
date three (3) years thereafter.

(B) No Member of the Cordillera Assembly shall serve for more than three (3)
consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of, or removal from, office for any length of
time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full
term for which he was elected.

SEC. 6. (A) Unless otherwise provided by national law, the regular election of the
Members of the Cordillera Assembly shall be held on the second Monday of February.

(B) In case of vacancy in the Cordillera Assembly occurring at least one (1) year before
the expiration of the term of office, a special election shall be called to fill the vacancy in
the manner prescribed by regional law: Provided, That the Member elected shall serve
only for the unexpired term.

SEC. 7. No person shall be a Member of the Cordillera Assembly unless she is a

natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the day
of the election, able to read and write, a registered voter in the political subdivision in
which he shall be elected, and an actual resident thereof for a period of not less than
one (1) year and of the Cordilleras for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the
day of the election.

SEC. 8. The Cordillera Assembly shall elect its Speaker, who shall be its presiding
officer, by a majority vote of all its Members. It shall choose such other officers as the
rules of the Assembly may require.

SEC. 9. The Cordillera Assembly shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday
of April for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by national law, and shall
continue to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty (30)
days before the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays
and legal holidays. However, it may be called to a special session at any time by the
Cordillera Governor.

SEC. 10. (A) A majority of all the Members of the Cordillera Assembly shall constitute a
quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may
compel the attendance of absent Members in such manner, and under such penalties
as the Cordillera Assembly may provide.

(B) The Cordillera Assembly may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its
Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of all its
Members, suspend or expel a Member: Provided, That the period of suspension shall
not exceed sixty (60) days.

(C) The Cordillera Assembly shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to
time publish the same, and the yeas and nays on any question shall, at the request of
one-fifth (1/5) of the Members present, be entered in the Journal.

SEC. 11. (A) Unless otherwise provided by Congress, each Member of the Cordillera
Assembly shall receive an annual salary of One hundred twenty thousand pesos
(P120,000.00), except the Speaker who shall receive a salary of One hundred forty-four
thousand pesos (P144,000.00) per annum. They shall not receive during their tenure
any other emolument from the Government.

(B) The records and books of accounts of the Cordillera Assembly shall be open to the
public in accordance with law. Such books shall be audited by the Commission on Audit
which shall publish annually the itemized expenditures of each Member.

SEC. 12. No Member shall be questioned or be held liable in any other place for any
speech or debate in the Cordillera Assembly or in any committee thereof.

SEC. 13. No Member of the Cordillera Assembly shall hold any other office or
employment in the Government or any of its subdivision, agency or instrumentality,
including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries, during his
tenure.

SEC. 14. No Member of the Cordillera Assembly shall personally appear as counsel
before courts of justice or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall
he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any other
franchise or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency or
instrumentality, including any government-owned or controlled corporation or its
subsidiary, during his tenure. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of
the Cordillera Autonomous Region for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called
upon to act on account of his office.

SEC. 15. All Members of the Cordillera Assembly shall, upon their assumption of office,
make a full disclosure of their financial and business interests, including those of their
spouses and unmarried children under eighteen (18) years of age living in their
households. They shall notify the Assembly of any potential conflict of interest that may
arise from the filing of measures of which they are authors.

Any Member found guilty of non-disclosure as required under this section may be
expelled by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the Members of the Cordillera Assembly,
without prejudice to his other liabilities under pertinent legislation.

SEC. 16. (A) There shall be created a Regional Commission on Appointments to be

composed of the Speaker as Chairman, and six (6) Members coming from different
provinces and cities in the Autonomous Region, who shall be elected from among the
Members of the Cordillera Assembly.

(B) The Chairman of the Commission shall not vote, except in case of a tie. The
Commission shall act on all appointments submitted to it within thirty (30) session days
of the Cordillera Assembly from their submission. The Commission shall decide by a
majority vote of all the Members thereof.

(C) All original and promotional appointments to positions created by the Cordillera
Assembly with the rank of Cabinet members and their assistants, regional directors,
heads of agencies, or commissions shall be subject to review and confirmation by the
Regional Commission on Appointments.

(D) The Regional Commission on Appointments shall be constituted within thirty (30)
days after the election of the Speaker of the Cordillera Assembly. The Regional
Commission on Appointments shall meet only while the Cordillera Assembly is in
session, at the call of its Chairman or a majority of all its Members, to discharge its
powers and functions.

SEC. 17. (A) There shall be a people’s hour at least once a month or as often as the
rules of the Cordillera Assembly may provide, which shall be included in the Order of
Business, during which any member of the Cabinet may, upon his own initiative, with
the consent of the Cordillera Governor, or upon the request of the Cordillera Assembly,
appear and answer questions and interpellations by Members of the Assembly on any
matter pertaining to his department.

(B) The Cordillera Assembly or any of its committees may conduct inquiries in aid of
legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure. The rights of
persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected.

SEC. 18. (A) The Cordillera Governor shall submit to the Cordillera Assembly not later
than two (2) months before the beginning of every regular session, to serve as the basis
of the regional appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of financing,
including receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures.
The fiscal year of the Cordillera Autonomous Region shall cover the period April 1 to
March 31 of the succeeding year.

(B) The Cordillera Assembly may not increase the appropriations recommended by the
Cordillera Governor for the operation of the Regional Government as specified in the
budget. The form, content and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed
by regional law: Provided, however, That pending the enactment of such a regional law,
the budgeting process of the Regional Government shall be governed by existing
national laws and rules and regulations prescribed by the Department of Budget and
Management.

(C) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the regional appropriations bill

unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein. Any such provision
or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates.

(D) The procedure in approving appropriations for the Cordillera Assembly shall strictly
follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies of
the Regional Government.

(E) A special regional appropriation bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended,
and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the Regional
Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposal therein.

(F) No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the
Cordillera Governor and the Speaker of the Cordillera Assembly may, by regional law,
be authorized to augment any item in the regional appropriations law for their respective
offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

(G) Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shall be disbursed only for
public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines
as may be prescribed by regional law.

(H) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Cordillera Assembly shall have failed to pass the
regional appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the Regional Appropriations Law
for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and
effect until the regional appropriations bill is passed by the Cordillera Assembly.

(I) The Cordillera Governor shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in
an appropriation or revenue bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which
he does not object.

SEC. 19. (A) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Cordillera
Assembly shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.

(B) Charitable institutions, churches, parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto,

mosques and temples, non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings and improvements
actually, directly and exclusively used for religious or charitable purposes shall be
exempt from taxation.

SEC. 20. (A) No money shall be paid out of the Regional Treasury except in pursuance
of an appropriation made by regional law.

(B) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid or used directly or
indirectly for the use, benefit or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian
institution, or system of religion or for the use, benefit or support of any priest, preacher,
minister, imam or other religious teacher or dignitary as such, except when such priest,
preacher, minister, imam or dignitary is assigned to the regional police or government
orphanage and rehabilitation centers or similar institutions.

(C) All money collected on any regional tax levied for a special purpose shall be treated
as a special fund and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose for which a special
fund was created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be
transferred to the general fund of the Regional Government.

SEC. 21. (A) Every bill shall embrace only one (1) subject which shall be expressed in
the title thereof.

(B) No bill shall become a law unless it has passed three (3) readings on separate days,
and printed copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to the Members three
(3) days before its passage, except when the Cordillera Governor certifies to the
necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or emergency affecting
the region or any of its component provinces, cities, municipalities or barangay or ili.
Upon the last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall be allowed and the vote
thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in the
Journal.

SEC. 22. Every bill passed by the Cordillera Assembly shall, before it becomes a law,
be presented to the Cordillera Governor. If he approves the same, he shall sign it;
otherwise, if the bill contains ultra vires provisions, or if he finds it objectionable on
policy grounds, or both, he shall veto it and return it with his objections to the Cordillera
Assembly, which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to
reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds (2/3) of all the Members of the
Assembly shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become a law. In all such cases, the vote
shall be determined by yeas or nays, and the names of the Members voting for or
against shall be entered in the Journal. The Cordillera Governor shall communicate his
veto of any bill to the Assembly within thirty (30) days after the date of receipt thereof;
otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it.

SEC. 23. The Speaker of the Cordillera Assembly shall, within ten (10) working days
from approval thereof, submit to the President and to both Houses of Congress a
certified true copy of all laws and resolutions passed by the Cordillera Assembly.
 ARTICLE VI

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

SECTION 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Cordillera Governor who shall be
elected at large by direct vote of the people of the Autonomous Region.

SEC. 2. No person may be elected Cordillera Governor unless he is a natural-born

citizen of the Philippines, and on the day of the election is at least thirty-five (35) years
of age, able to read and write, a registered voter in the region and an actual resident
thereof for a period of not less than five (5) years immediately preceding the day of
election.

SEC. 3. The Cordillera Governor shall be assisted by a Cabinet of six (6) members at
least four (4) of whom shall preferably come from indigenous cultural
communities: Provided, That the members shall, as far as practicable, come from
various provinces and cities within the Autonomous Region.

The members of the Cabinet must be registered voters and residents of the region for at
least five (5) years immediately preceding their appointment.

The Cordillera Governor shall appoint the members of the Cabinet subject to
confirmation by the Regional Commission on Appointments.

SEC. 4. There shall be a Cordillera Deputy Governor who shall have the same
qualifications and term of office and be elected with and in the same manner as the
Cordillera Governor. He may be removed from office in the same manner as the
Cordillera Governor. The Cordillera Deputy Governor may be appointed as a member of
the Regional Cabinet. Such appointment requires no confirmation.

SEC. 5. The Cordillera Governor and the Cordillera Deputy Governor shall be elected
by direct vote of the people of the Autonomous Region for a term of three (3) years
which shall begin at noon on the thirty-first day of March next following the day of
election and shall end at noon of the same date three (3) years thereafter.

No Cordillera Governor or Cordillera Deputy Governor shall serve for more than three
(3) consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of, or removal from, office for any length
of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the
full term for which he was elected.

Unless otherwise provided by national law, the regular election for the Cordillera
Governor and Cordillera Deputy Governor shall be held on the second Monday of
February.

SEC. 6. The Cordillera Governor and the Cordillera Deputy Governor on assuming
office shall take the following oath or affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties
as Cordillera Governor (or Cordillera Deputy Governor) of the Cordillera Autonomous
Region, preserve and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and this
Organic Act, execute its laws, do justice to all and consecrate myself to the service of
the Cordilleras. So help me God.” (In case of affirmation, the last sentence will be
omitted.)

SEC. 7. The annual compensation of the Cordillera Governor and the Cordillera Deputy
Governor shall, unless otherwise provided by national law, be fixed at One hundred
eighty thousand pesos (P180,000.00) and One hundred forty-four thousand pesos
(P144,000.00), respectively. They shall not receive during their tenure any other
emolument from the Government.

SEC. 8. The Cordillera Governor shall be provided with a reasonable housing allowance
by the Cordillera Assembly.

SEC. 9. The Cordillera Governor-elect and the Cordillera Deputy Governor-elect shall
assume office at the beginning of their terms.

If the Cordillera Governor-elect fails to qualify, the Cordillera Deputy Governor-elect

shall act as Cordillera Governor until the Cordillera Governor-elect shall have qualified.

If the Cordillera Governor shall not have been chosen, the Cordillera Deputy Governor-
elect shall act as Cordillera Governor until a Cordillera Governor shall have been
chosen and qualified.

If at the beginning of the term of the Cordillera Governor, the Cordillera Governor-elect
shall have died or shall have been permanently disabled, the Cordillera Deputy
Governor-elect shall become Cordillera Governor.

Where no Cordillera Governor and Cordillera Deputy Governor shall have qualified, or
where both have died or become permanently disabled, the Speaker of the Cordillera
Assembly shall act as Acting Cordillera Governor until a Cordillera Governor or
Cordillera Deputy Governor shall have been chosen and qualified.

The Cordillera Assembly shall, by law, provide for the manner in which one who is to act
as Cordillera Governor shall be selected until a Cordillera Governor or a Cordillera
Deputy Governor shall have qualified, in case of death, permanently disability or
resignation of the Speaker.

SEC. 10. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of
the Cordillera Governor, the Cordillera Deputy Governor shall become the Cordillera
Governor to serve for the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability,
removal from office, or resignation of both the Cordillera Governor and Cordillera
Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the Cordillera Assembly shall act as Cordillera
Governor until the Cordillera Governor or Cordillera Deputy Governor are elected and
qualified in a special election called for the purpose: Provided, That upon assumption as
acting Cordillera Governor, the Speaker of the Cordillera Assembly shall temporarily
vacate his position as such and a Speaker Pro Tempore shall be elected: Provided,
further, That upon the election and assumption of office of the new Cordillera Governor,
the Speaker shall reassume his office.

The Cordillera Assembly shall, by law, provide who shall serve as Cordillera Governor
in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting Cordillera Governor.
He shall serve until the Cordillera Governor shall have been elected and qualified, and
be subject to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting
Cordillera Governor.

SEC. 11. In case of temporary incapacity of the Cordillera Governor to perform his
duties on account of physical or legal causes, or when he is on official leave of absence
or on travel outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Republic of the Philippines, the
Cordillera Deputy Governor, or if there be none, or in case of his temporary incapacity
or refusal to assume office, the Speaker of the Cordillera Assembly, shall exercise the
powers, duties and functions of the Cordillera Governor.

SEC. 12. Whenever there is a permanent vacancy in the office of the Cordillera Deputy
Governor occurring at least one (1) year before the expiration of his term of office, the
Cordillera Assembly shall call a special election to fill the vacancy in the manner
prescribed by regional law: Provided, That the Cordillera Deputy Governor elected shall
serve only for the unexpired term.

SEC. 13. The Cordillera Assembly shall, at ten o’clock in the morning of the third day
after the vacancies in both the offices of Cordillera Governor and Cordillera Deputy
Governor occur, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call and within
seven (7) days enact a law calling for a special election to elect a Cordillera Governor
and a Cordillera Deputy Governor to be held not earlier than thirty (30) days or later
than forty-five (45) days from the time of such call. The bill calling for such special
election shall be deemed certified under the applicable law and shall become a law
upon its approval on the third reading by the Assembly. Appropriations for the special
election shall be charged against any current appropriation. The convening of the
Assembly shall not be suspended. Neither shall the special election be postponed. No
special election shall be called if the vacancies occur within twelve (12) months
immediately preceding the next regional elections.

SEC. 14. The Cordillera Governor, the Cordillera Deputy Governor, and the members of
the Cabinet and their assistants shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office
except as otherwise provided in this Organic Act, practice any profession, or participate
directly or indirectly in any business or be financially interested directly or indirectly in
any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Cordillera
Government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including any
national or regional government-owned or controlled corporation.
The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of the
Cordillera Governor shall not, during his tenure, be appointed members of the regional
Cabinet or chairmen of regional commissions, or heads of bureaus or offices, including
government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries located in the
Autonomous Region.

SEC. 15. The Cordillera Governor shall have control of all executive departments in the
Regional Government.

SEC. 16. The Cordillera Governor shall appoint the heads of regional departments,
bureaus or offices with the concurrence of the Regional Commission on Appointments.
The Cordillera Assembly may, by law, vest in the members of the Cabinet, special
courts, heads of agencies, commissions and boards, the power to appoint subordinate
officers.

SEC. 17. Any member of the Cabinet may be removed or replaced by the Cordillera
Governor at any time, with or without cause. The salaries and emoluments of Cabinet
members shall be fixed by regional law which shall not be decreased during their
tenure.

SEC. 18. The Cordillera Governor shall address the Cordillera Assembly at the opening
of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time. The Cordillera
Assembly may invite the President and other government officials to address it.

ARTICLE VII

INDIGENOUS AND SPECIAL COURTS

SECTION 1. There is hereby created a system of tribal courts, which may include a
Tribal Appellate Court, for the indigenous cultural communities in the Autonomous
Region. These courts shall determine, settle and decide controversies and enforce
decisions involving personal, family and property rights in accordance with the tribal
codes of these communities. The Cordillera Assembly shall, in consultation with the
Supreme Court, define their composition and jurisdiction in accordance with this Act. It
may also create a Council of Elders and provide for its organization and jurisdiction.

SEC. 2. The decisions of the special courts shall be final and executory: Provided,
however, That nothing herein contained shall affect the original and appellate
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided in the Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SECTION 1. The territorial and political subdivisions of the Autonomous Region are the
provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangay or ili, where applicable. For purposes of
this Organic Act, the ili refers to a tribal village occupying a definite area within the
Autonomous Region.

SEC. 2. The territorial and political subdivisions shall enjoy local autonomy.

SEC. 3. The Cordillera Governor shall exercise general supervision over local
governments. Provinces with respect to municipalities, and cities and municipalities with
respect to their component barangay or ili, shall ensure that the acts of their component
units are within the scope of their legally mandated powers and functions.

SEC. 4. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, local government units are
entitled to an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization and development of the
natural resources within their respective areas, in the manner provided by regional law,
including sharing the same with the inhabitants by way of direct benefits.

SEC. 5. The term of office of the elective local officials except that of the barangay
or ili officials which shall be determined by regional law, including customary law, shall
be three (3) years. No such official shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive
terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered
as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was
elected.

SEC. 6. Cities within the Autonomous Region shall be governed by their charters.
Nothing herein shall be construed in any manner as to diminish the powers and
functions already enjoyed by these cities.

ARTICLE IX

ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

SECTION 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all
times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity,
loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

SEC. 2. The Cordillera Governor and the Cordillera Deputy Governor may be removed
for and conviction of culpable violation of the Constitution and this Organic Act, treason,
bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust by a three-
fourths (3/4) vote of all the Members of the Cordillera Assembly.

The Cordillera Assembly may initiate the removal of the Cordillera Governor or the
Cordillera Deputy Governor under this section by a majority vote of all its Members.

The Cordillera Assembly shall promulgate the necessary rules to carry out effectively
the purposes of this section.
SEC. 3. No proceedings for the removal of the Cordillera Governor and the Cordillera
Deputy Governor shall be initiated more than once within a period of one (1) year.

SEC. 4. Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 2 hereof, the Cordillera Assembly
shall provide for a system of recall of all regional and local elective officials: Provided,
That no recall shall take place within one (1) year from the date of the official’s
assumption of office or one (1) year immediately preceding a regular election in the
region.

SEC. 5. A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption to office and as often
thereafter as may be required by national law, submit a declaration under oath of his
assets, liabilities and net worth, to the chief of the office concerned.

In the case of the Cordillera Governor, the Cordillera Deputy Governor, the Members of
the Cordillera Assembly and heads of offices, such declarations under oath shall be
submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman and shall be published in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation in the region.

ARTICLE X

PERSONAL, FAMILY, TRIBAL AND PROPERTY

RELATIONS

SECTION 1. Customary laws affecting personal, family, tribal and property relations in
the Cordilleras shall be recognized among members of the indigenous tribal group or
cultural community.

SEC. 2. Marriages solemnized between or among members of the indigenous tribal

group or cultural community in accordance with the indigenous customary laws of the
place shall be valid, and the dissolution thereof in accordance with these laws shall be
recognized.

SEC. 3. The Regional Government shall promote a program of responsible parenthood

which shall be based on the parent’s free and informed choice on the number of
children they should have without prejudice to their religious and cultural values.

SEC. 4. Peaceful settlement of family disputes done in accordance with customary

practices shall be recognized.

SEC. 5. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, acquisition, disposition and
encumbrance of property in accordance with customary laws of the place shall be
recognized and protected.

SEC. 6. Upon agreement of the parties, peaceful settlement of disputes involving

property rights and ownership shall be governed by the customary laws of the place
where the property is located.
SEC. 7. The Cordillera Assembly shall provide for a system of registration of births,
marital status and deaths of members of the indigenous cultural communities, and the
necessary documentation required therefor.

ARTICLE XI

ANCESTRAL DOMAIN AND ANCESTRAL LANDS

SECTION 1. The Regional Government shall undertake measures to protect the

ancestral domain and the ancestral lands of indigenous cultural communities.

Subject to the Constitution and national policies, all lands and natural resources in the
Autonomous Region that have been possessed or occupied by indigenous cultural
communities since time immemorial, except when prevented by war, force majeure, or
other forms of forcible usurpation, shall form part of the ancestral domain.

SEC. 2. Ancestral lands consist of lands under communal or tribal ownership.

Communal or tribal ownership is exercised by a group of people belonging to a definite

indigenous cultural community, ili or village.

Lands in the actual, open, notorious, and uninterrupted possession and occupation by
an indigenous cultural community for at least thirty (30) years are ancestral lands.

SEC. 3. The constructive or traditional possession of lands and resources by an

indigenous cultural community may also be recognized subject to confirmation by a
competent tribunal, the petition for which shall be instituted within a period of ten (10)
years from the effectivity of this Act. The procedure for such confirmation of imperfect
titles under existing laws shall, as far as practicable, apply to the confirmation of titles to
ancestral lands.

The foregoing provisions notwithstanding, titles secured under the Torrens system, and
rights already vested under the provisions of existing laws shall be respected.

SEC. 4. Upon the identification and demarcation of ancestral lands, including those
within townsite reservations in the area of autonomy, the appropriate land agency of the
Regional Government shall issue titles over ancestral lands to communities or tribes.

SEC. 5. Subject to the Constitution and national law, the Cordillera Assembly shall
pass, within a period of ten (10) years from its organization, laws relating to customary
tenure of land and communal property including the rights and usages connected
thereto. Such legislation on ancestral domain and the lands therein shall embody the
customs of the indigenous community and prescribe the extent and the manner in which
dispositions of lands may be made.
SEC. 6. The Regional Government shall require corporations, companies and other
entities within the ancestral domain of the indigenous cultural communities whose
operations adversely affect the ecological balance to take the necessary preventive
measures and safeguards in order to maintain such a balance.

SEC. 7. Unless authorized by the Cordillera Assembly, lands of the ancestral domain
titled to or owned by an indigenous cultural community shall not be disposed of to non-
members.

SEC. 8. No portion of the ancestral domain shall be open to resettlement by non-

members of the indigenous cultural communities.

SEC. 9. Nothing in this Act shall authorize any person to enter or occupy by force or
other unlawful means, any portion of the Autonomous Region under the guise that the
same forms part of the ancestral domain.

SEC. 10. The ancient rice terraces in the Cordilleras are hereby declared as national
treasures and part of the national heritage of the cultural communities in the area as
well as the Filipino people.

ARTICLE XII

PATRIMONY, ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT

SECTION 1. The Regional Government shall initiate, stimulate, facilitate, support and
catalyze development in the region.

SEC. 2. Development in the Autonomous Region shall be people-oriented. Under the

peculiar circumstances of their respective environments, the people of the Cordilleras
shall be empowered through their government’s programs to participate actively and
substantially in their own development.

SEC. 3. The formulation and implementation of development programs in the

Cordilleras shall, among other things, address the following concerns:

(a) Delineation, protection and development of watersheds, parks, and other

reservations that are declared by competent authorities as critical to the survival of the
Cordillera communities and declaration of such areas as inalienable;

(b) Respect for indigenous concepts, processes and institutions as bases of

development;

(c) The need for development strategies to meet disparities in natural resource
endowments among communities. These include the need for programs that enhance
physical, economic, and social mobility of the people of the Cordilleras;
(d) The need for cooperative organizations and similar institutions as instruments for
democratizing ownership and management of public utilities;

(e) Urban land reform to minimize the problem of inadequate housing and congestion
with its attendant social problems;

(f) Development and use of appropriate technology based on indigenous conservation

practices; and

(g) Diffusion of the ownership of enterprises and the benefits of development.

SEC. 4. Except for strategic minerals such as uranium and others as may be defined by
national law, the control and supervision over the exploration, utilization and
development of the natural resources of the Autonomous Region is hereby delegated to
the Regional Government in accordance with the Constitution and national laws.

The Cordillera Assembly shall have the authority to grant franchises and concessions,
however, the Cordillera Governor may, by regional law, be authorized to grant leases,
permits and licenses: Provided, That any lease permit, franchise or concession shall
cover an area not exceeding the limits allowed by the Constitution and shall subsist for
a period not exceeding twenty-five (25) years: Provided, further, That existing leases,
permits, licenses, franchises and concessions shall be respected until their expiration
unless legally terminated as provided by law: and Provided, finally, That when the
natural resources are located within the ancestral domain, the permit, license, franchise
or concession, shall be approved by the Cordillera Assembly after consultation with the
cultural community concerned.

SEC. 5. Consistent with the Constitution, national laws and national policies, the
Autonomous Region may enact laws pertaining to the natural resources of the region.
Such legislative authority may relate to mineral, energy and forestry resources
management.

Nothing herein, however, shall be construed as authorizing the Regional Government to

require lesser standards concerning the protection, conservation, enhancement, fiscal
and regulatory licensing of the natural resources than those required by the National
Government.

SEC. 6. Subject to Section 5 hereof, the Cordillera Assembly shall, as a matter of

priority, regulate the extraction and processing of mineral and non-mineral resources in
the region to protect the ecosystem, including setting limitations on open pit mining and
similar methods.

SEC. 7. The exploration, development and utilization of natural resources, except those
enumerated in the first paragraph of Section 4 hereof, shall be allowed to all Filipinos
and to private enterprises, including corporations, associations, cooperatives and such
other similar collective organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) of their capital
investment or capital stocks directly controlled or owned by Filipinos who are preferably
residents of the region.

SEC. 8. Small-scale mining shall receive support from and be regulated by the
Autonomous Region, taking into consideration ecological balance and the interest of the
communities where such operations are conducted.

SEC. 9. The Regional Government shall actively and immediately pursue reforestation
measures to ensure that at least fifty percent (50%) of the land surface of the
Autonomous Region shall be covered with trees, giving priority to land strips along the
edges of rivers and streams and shorelines of lakes. The Regional Government shall
adopt measures for the development of lands eighteen percent (18%) in slope or over
by providing infrastructure, financial and technical support to upland communities
especially the tribal peoples.

SEC. 10. There is hereby created a Regional Planning and Development Board which
shall be composed of the Cordillera Governor as ex officio Chairman, all the provincial
governors and city mayors or their representatives, two (2) Members of the Cordillera
Assembly to be designated by the Speaker, and such other members to represent the
private sector as may be prescribed by the Assembly.

The Board shall serve as the planning, monitoring and coordinating agency for the
Autonomous Region. It shall identify, evaluate, recommend and submit the annual work
programs and comprehensive development plans to the Cordillera Governor for proper
implementation.

SEC. 11. The Regional Government shall establish and capitalize a Regional
Development Bank which shall administer its own funds. The bank shall be under the
supervision of the Central Bank.

SEC. 12. The Regional Government shall, in coordination with the National
Government, plan, construct and maintain a system of roads interconnecting the various
areas of the region to other regions adjacent to the Cordilleras and shall establish a
regionwide telecommunications system to enable all municipalities within the region to
be equipped with telephone, telegraph or radio facilities.

SEC. 13. Subject to ecological considerations, the Regional Government shall adopt
and implement a comprehensive urban land reform and land use program consistent
with the Constitution and national and regional laws and policies to ensure the just
utilization of land within their jurisdiction.

ARTICLE XIII

FISCAL AUTONOMY
SECTION 1. The Regional Government shall have the power to create its own sources
of revenues and to levy taxes, fees and charges, subject to such guidelines and
limitations as the Constitution and this Act may provide, consistent with the basic policy
of local autonomy. Such taxes, fees and charges shall accrue exclusively to the
Autonomous Region.

SEC. 2. In enacting revenue-raising measures, the Cordillera Assembly shall observe

the principle of uniformity and equity in taxation and shall not impose confiscatory taxes
or fees of any kind. Income taxation, however, shall be solely the concern and
prerogative of the National Government.

The Cordillera Assembly shall not revoke or amend, directly or indirectly, any city or
municipal ordinance imposing any tax or fee on purely local business.

No tax, impost or assessment shall be imposed or charged upon goods or merchandise

coming into, going out of, or passing through the Autonomous Region to other places of
the Philippines, and vice versa.

SEC. 3. All corporations, partnerships, and other business entities directly engaged in
business in the Autonomous Region shall pay through the Regional Government that
portion of their annual income tax corresponding to the net income generated from
business done in the area of autonomy.

All corporations, partnerships or business entities directly engaged in business in the

Autonomous Region shall pay their corresponding taxes, fees and charges in the
province, city, or municipality where the establishment is doing business regardless of
the location of their principal or main offices.

SEC. 4. The sources of revenues of the Autonomous Region shall include, but are not
limited to, the following:

(a) Taxes, except income taxes, imposed by the Regional Government;

(b) Fees and charges imposed by the Regional Government;

(c) Appropriations, internal revenue allotment and other budgetary aids from the
National Government;

(d) Shares in revenues generated from the operations of public utilities within the
Autonomous Region; and

(e) Block grants derived from economic agreements or conventions authorized by the
Autonomous Region, donations, endowments, foreign assistance, and other forms of
aid, subject to the Constitution and national policies.
SEC. 5. The total collections of a province or city from national internal revenue taxes,
fees and charges as well as taxes, fees and charges imposed on natural resources
accruing as income to the National Government, shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Thirty percent (30%) to the province or city;

(b) Thirty percent (30%) share to the Regional Government; and

(c) Forty percent (40%) to the National Government.

The thirty percent (30%) share of the province shall be distributed equally as follows:
ten percent (10%) to the province, ten percent (10%) to the municipality and ten percent
(10%) to the barangay.

The thirty percent (30%) share of the city shall be distributed as follows: twenty percent
(20%) to the city and ten percent (10%) to the barangay.

The province or city concerned shall automatically retain its share and remit the seventy
percent (70%) to the Regional Government, which shall, after deducting its share, remit
the balance to the National Government on a monthly basis.

The remittance procedure within the Autonomous Region shall be in accordance with
the rules and regulations promulgated by the Regional Government, and remittances to
the National Government, by the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department
of Finance.

SEC. 6. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, the Regional Government
shall evolve a system of economic agreements or trade compacts to generate block
grants for regional investments and improvements of regional economic structures.
These economic agreements shall be authorized by regional legislation or by executive
agreement. Pursuant to specific recommendations from the Regional Planning and
Development Board, the Regional Government shall assist local government units in
their requirements for counterpart funds for foreign-assisted projects.

SEC. 7. Subject to existing national laws, donations or grants to the Autonomous

Region exclusively to finance, to provide for, or to be used in undertaking projects in
education, health, youth and sports development, human settlement, science and
culture, and in economic development shall be deductible in full in determining the
taxable income of the donor or grantor.

SEC. 8. The Cordillera Assembly shall have the power to grant tax incentives or
exemption on taxes which the Autonomous Region is empowered under this Act to
impose. A law granting tax exemption shall only be passed with the concurrence of a
majority of all the Members of the Cordillera Assembly.
SEC. 9. Foreign loans may be contracted only in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution and national laws: Provided, That the Cordillera Governor may contract
domestic loans subject to the approval of the Cordillera Assembly.

ARTICLE XIV

AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TOURISM,

AND COOPERATIVES

SECTION 1. The Regional Government shall, as a basic policy, promote agricultural

production for domestic or commercial needs.

SEC. 2. The conservation, protection and utilization of water resources for agricultural
purposes shall be given priority.

SEC. 3. The Regional Government shall promote and develop inland fishery production
in areas where the industry is viable.

SEC. 4. The Regional Government shall undertake research and pass legislation to
enforce floor prices on agricultural and industrial products and ceiling prices on
agricultural inputs, and provide and strengthen extension services to farmers free of
charge.

SEC. 5. The Regional Government shall encourage the establishment of small and
medium-scale cottage industries using efficient and productive methods. It shall
undertake measures to provide for their protection and financing requirements.

SEC. 6. The Regional Government shall provide for the proper utilization and disposal
of industrial waste.

SEC. 7. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to prevent flight of capital from
the region.

SEC. 8. The Regional Government shall adopt measures against monopolies in public
utilities, development, trading and similar concerns. It may, in the interest of regional
welfare and security, establish and operate pioneering public utilities. Upon payment of
just compensation, it may transfer the ownership of such utilities to cooperatives or
other collective organizations.

SEC. 9. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to prevent the manufacture,
importation, distribution or sale of agricultural and industrial inputs found to be
biologically or environmentally harmful.

SEC. 10. The Regional Government shall adopt measures to initiate, encourage and
develop industrialization in the region, taking into account the culture and capabilities of
the people of the area to control or manage their resources, the ecological needs of the
area and the conservation of resources.

SEC. 11. Consistent with the preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of
ecology, the Regional Government shall promote tourism within the region. The
Cordillera Assembly shall establish offices and facilities that shall implement tourism
concerns.

SEC. 12. The Regional Government shall encourage, promote and support the
establishment of economic zones, industrial centers, and development ports in strategic
areas and growth centers in the Autonomous Region, including the necessary
infrastructures therefor.

SEC. 13. The Regional Government shall, subject to national policies and in
coordination with the National Government, encourage and regulate foreign investments
and the exportation of indigenous products, in accordance with its goals and priorities.

SEC. 14. The Regional Government shall recognize cooperatives as tools for economic
development, social justice and people empowerment. Accordingly, it shall provide
regional tax exemption and shall extend the necessary support services to
cooperatives: Provided, however, That the said cooperatives shall allocate at least ten
percent (10%) of their net income for community development projects.

SEC. 15. Within one (1) year from its organization, the Cordillera Assembly shall
establish a Cooperative Development Commission and define its powers, functions and
mechanism for implementation.

ARTICLE XV

EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,

LANGUAGE, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND SPORTS

SECTION 1. The Regional Government shall, consistent with the Constitution and
national laws, exercise legislative powers over regional educational policies and cultural
matters which shall, among other things, include:

(a) The authority to establish educational institutions, colleges and

universities: Provided, That regional colleges and universities created by the
Autonomous Region shall enjoy fiscal and administrative autonomy subject to regional
laws;

(b) The development of curricula relevant to the cultural heritage, and to the economic,
social, political, and moral needs of the people in the Autonomous Region, consistent
with the national goals of education.
SEC. 2. Private educational institutions shall enjoy the protection and support of the
Regional Government.

SEC. 3. The Regional Government shall establish a scholarship program for gifted or
deserving youths.

SEC. 4. The right of teachers, employees, students and parents to organize themselves
and to participate in school policy-making shall be guaranteed.

SEC. 5. The level of compensation and other benefits for teachers, non-teaching and
other personnel of the educational system in the region shall at least be equal to the
national standard.

SEC. 6. The advancement of scientific research and appropriate technology shall be

given priority in the allocation of funds.

SEC. 7. Incentives and safeguards, including free patenting, shall be accorded

Cordillera scientists and inventors.

SEC. 8. Educational system in the Autonomous Region shall develop consciousness

and appreciation of the ethnic identity of the people of the region and shall provide a
better understanding of their cultural heritage for the attainment of national unity and
harmony.

SEC. 9. The Regional Government shall take steps toward the development of a
common regional language based upon the various languages and dialects in the
region to enrich the national language.

SEC. 10. The Regional Government shall design and implement sports and physical
education development programs as a cooperative responsibility of the school,
community and government.

SEC. 11. State colleges and universities within the Autonomous Region shall continue
to enjoy fiscal and institutional autonomy and continue to be governed by their
respective charters. However, the regional official in charge of education shall be a
member of the governing boards of state colleges and universities in the Autonomous
Region.

SEC. 12. The University of the Philippines-Baguio shall continue to remain with the
University of the Philippines System.

ARTICLE XVI

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WELFARE

SECTION 1. The Regional Government commits itself to social justice and shall, among
other things, adopt measures to:

(a) Create economic opportunities for the less fortunate for them to become self-reliant;

(b) Ensure equal access to opportunity for elective public service, through mechanisms
that make elections inexpensive;

(c) Uplift marginalized communities; and

(d) Democratize the ownership of the means of production and the benefits of
development.

SEC. 2. The Regional Government shall promote shared responsibilities between

workers and employers in the private and government sectors.

SEC. 3. The Regional Government shall give full protection to labor and promote
equality of employment opportunities for all. Towards this end, it shall, among other
things, provide for:

(a) Periodic adjustments and rational standardization of compensation rates to ensure a

living wage for all workers;

(b) Adoption of profit sharing schemes that recognize the right of workers to a just share
in the profits of business and the right of enterprise to reasonable returns on investment;

(c) Protection of workers against unhealthy and dangerous working conditions; and

(d) Legislations for the benefit and welfare of domestic workers.

SEC. 4. The Regional Government recognizes health as a basic human right and the
attainment, maintenance and protection thereof shall be its responsibility and of the
people. The Regional Government affirms that health is an instrument for and a product
of socioeconomic development. For this purpose, it shall, among other things:

(a) Establish, maintain, and support an effective health care delivery system utilizing
primary health care as a comprehensive and integrated approach;

(b) Ensure that the health care system is governed by the principles of service, social
justice, and equity;

(c) Popularize health knowledge and skills to enable the people to take responsibility for
their health;

(d) Give relevant training and appropriate standards to health workers and
professionals;
(e) Establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system which shall
provide for the adoption of an essential drug list, encourage the use of generic
medicines or drugs, and promote the use of herbal medicines and indigenous health
resources;

(f) Conduct research and compile traditional healing methods and cultural health
practices; and

(g) Evolve financing schemes to effectively lessen the costs of health care.

SEC. 5. The Regional Government shall promote the well-being of the physically
disabled and mentally handicapped, the elderly, the homeless, widows and orphans,
retirees and veterans, and assist victims of calamities.

SEC. 6. The Cordillera Assembly shall, within one (1) year from its organization, enact
measures embodying reintegration programs responsive to the needs of rebel returnees
and rejoinees.

SEC. 7. The Regional Government shall adopt insurance and social security measures
responsive to the needs of the people to supplement existing privileges.

SEC. 8. The Regional Government, in cooperation with the private sector, shall promote
housing programs where needed, which shall be financed under liberal credit terms and
utilizing indigenous materials, architecture and technology. Housing cooperatives to
administer the projects shall be encouraged.

SEC. 9. The Regional Government shall promote a harmonious balance between

women’s personal, family and work obligations and their participation in public life.
Shared parenting and homemaking responsibilities between spouses shall be
encouraged.

SEC. 10. The Regional Government shall establish and strengthen support systems
and services for working women, which include maternal and child care services, day
care centers, longer maternity leaves, paternity leaves for their spouses, and early
retirement age.

SEC. 11. The Regional Government shall undertake education and information
programs to increase women’s awareness of their rights and responsibilities and to
correct customs, practices and mental attitudes that stereotype and regard them as
commodities.

SEC. 12. The Cordillera Assembly may create a Youth Commission, provide for its
composition and organization, and define its powers and functions.

SEC. 13. For purposes of this Organic Act, the youths are those who have not reached
their twenty-first (21st) birthday.
SEC. 14. The Regional Government shall promote and support duly established
people’s organizations and encourage the formation of organizations, especially those
of the underprivileged.

Guidelines and accreditation standards to define the conditions required of peoples’

organizations shall be set with out abridging their right to effective participation and
representation.

ARTICLE XVII

HUMAN RIGHTS

SECTION 1. The Cordillera Assembly may create the Cordillera Commission on Human
Rights and define its powers and functions, subject to the Constitution and national
laws, and to the supervision of the National Commission on Human Rights.

ARTICLE XVIII

PEACE AND ORDER

SECTION 1. The Regional Government shall give priority to the maintenance and
preservation of peace and order and the protection of life, liberty and property in the
Autonomous Region, in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution.

SEC. 2. The Cordillera Assembly shall, by law, create a Regional Police Force as an
integral part of the Philippine National Police under the administration and control of the
National Police Commission. It shall be headed by a police commissioner with two (2)
deputies, who shall all be inhabitants of the Autonomous Region, to be appointed by the
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Cordillera Governor.

SEC. 3. The regional police shall be under the supervision of the Cordillera
Governor: Provided, That city or municipal mayors, who are hereby constituted as ex
officio representatives of the National Police Commission, shall have operational control
and supervision of the police force within their constituent units in accordance with law
and appropriate rules and regulations.

SEC. 4. The defense and security of the Autonomous Region shall be the responsibility
of the National Government. Towards this end, there is hereby created a regional
command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for the Autonomous Region, which
shall be organized, maintained and utilized in accordance with national laws. The
National Government shall have the authority to station and deploy in the Autonomous
Region sufficient elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines: Provided, That
inhabitants of the Autonomous Region shall be given preference in assignments therein.
SEC. 5. The provisions of the preceding sections notwithstanding, the Cordillera
Governor may request the President of the Philippines to call upon the Armed Forces of
the Philippines:

(a) To prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion, when the public
safety so requires, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution;

(b) To suppress the danger to or breach of peace in the area of autonomy, when the
police forces of the Autonomous Region are not able to do so; and

(c) To avert any imminent danger to public order and security in the area of autonomy.

SEC. 6. The Regional Government shall recognize indigenous structures or systems

found to be acceptable and effective in the promotion of peace and order in the region.

ARTICLE XIX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. This Organic Act shall be officially promulgated in Filipino and English and
translated into the languages or dialects widely spoken in the Autonomous Region. In
case of conflict, the English text shall prevail.

SEC. 2. For purposes of qualification for any elective or appointive public office in the
Cordillera Autonomous Region, the person to be elected or appointed must have
resided in the region for at least five (5) years immediately preceding the election or
appointment.

SEC. 3. The Congress, may, upon recommendation of the Cordillera Assembly, adopt a
new name for the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

SEC. 4. The Cordillera Assembly may provide for just compensation for barangay
or ili officials.

SEC. 5. The Cordillera Assembly shall devise a system providing that salary rates of
employees shall not be lower than the poverty line as determined by competent
authority.

SEC. 6. The Regional Government shall have a regional emblem and hymn.

SEC. 7. The Cordillera Assembly may establish a Veterans, Retirees and Senior
Citizens Affairs Office, and provide for the composition, compensation, qualifications,
term of office, functions, and manner of appointment of the members.

ARTICLE XX
 AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS

SECTION 1. Consistent with the provisions of the Constitution, this Organic Act may be
amended or revised by the Congress of the Philippines, upon a majority vote of the
House of Representatives and of the Senate voting separately.

SEC. 2. The Cordillera Assembly shall have the power to initiate proposals for
amendment to or revision of this Organic Act by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all its
Members or it may call for a Regional Consultative Commission to propose the
amendment or revision. In any case, the amendment or revision shall require the
approval of the Congress of the Philippines.

SEC. 3. Amendments to or revisions of this Organic Act may, likewise, be directly

proposed by the people to the Congress of the Philippines upon petition of at least
twelve percent (12%) of the total number of the registered voters of the Autonomous
Region, of which every province or city must be represented by at least three percent
(3%) of the registered voters therein. No amendment or revision under this section shall
be authorized within three (3) years following the ratification of this Organic Act or
oftener than once every five (5) years thereafter.

SEC. 4. Any amendment to or revision of this Organic Act shall become effective when
ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose which shall
be held not earlier than sixty (60) days or later than ninety (90) days after the approval
of such amendments or revisions.

ARTICLE XXI

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. The first regular election for the Cordillera Governor, the Cordillera Deputy
Governor and the Members of the Cordillera Assembly shall be held on the first Monday
of March 1991. Their terms of office shall begin at noon of the last day of the month next
following the proclamation of their election and shall end at noon of the thirty-first day of
May 1993. The expenses for the conduct of the election shall be charged against the
Contingent Fund; any deficiency shall be taken from the savings of the National
Government. The Commission on Elections shall promulgate such rules and regulations
as may be necessary for the conduct of said election.

SEC. 2. (A) For purposes of the first election of representatives to the Cordillera
Assembly under this Organic Act, each province and city shall be divided into four (4)
regional assembly districts as follows:

(a) PROVINCE OF BENGUET—First District: La Trinidad, Tublay and Sablan; Second

District: Itogon, Bokod and Tuba; Third District: Kapangan, Atok, Kibungan and Bakun;
Fourth District: Mankayan, Buguias and Kabayan
(b) PROVINCE OF IFUGAO—First District: Mayoyao, Aguinaldo and Alfonso
Lista; Second District: Hungduan and Tinoc; Third District: Banaue, Hingyon and
Lagawe; Fourth District: Kiangan and Lamut

(c) PROVINCE OF ABRA—First District: Bangued, Tayum, La Paz, Danglas and

Lagayan; Second District: Bucay, Peñarrubia, Manabo, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Daguioman
and Boliney; Third District: Pidigan, San Quintin, Langiden, San Isidro, Villaviciosa,
Pilar, Luba and Tubo; Fourth District: Tineg, Malibcong, Lacub, Licuan-Baay,
Lagangilang, Dolores and San Juan

(d) MOUNTAIN PROVINCE—First District: Barlig, Natonin and Paracelis; Second

District: Bontoc, Sadanga and Sagada; Third District: Bauko and Sabangan; Fourth
District: Besao and Tadian

(e) PROVINCE OF KALINGA-APAYAO—First District: Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil,

Pinukpuk and Tinglayan; Second District: Tabuk, Tanudan and Rizal; Third District:
Kabugao, Conner and Kalanasan; Fourth District: Flora, Luna, Pudlot and Santa
Marcela

(f) CITY OF BAGUIO—First District: Pucsusan, Mines View, Gibraltar, St. Joseph,
Pacdal, Cabinet Hill-Teachers Camp, Marcoville, Engineer’s Hill, DPS Compound,
Greenwater Village, Sta. Scholastica, Hillside, Upper Dagsian, Lower Dagsian, Gabriela
Silang, Country Club, Outlook Drive, Lucnab, Lualhati, South Drive, Happy Hallow, Atok
Trail, Kias, PMA-Fort Del Pilar, Loakan-Liwanag, Loakan Apugan, Loakan Proper,
Scout Barrio, Camp 7, Camp 8, Poliwes and Military Cut-off; Second District: Burnham-
Legarda, BGH Compound, Phil-Am, Imelda, Balsigan, Sto. Rosario, Ferdinand (Campo
Sioco), City Camp Proper, City Camp Central, Upper Q.M., Upper Rock Quarry, Emilio
F. Aguinaldo, Lower Rock Quarry, Middle Rock Quarry, Palma-Urbano, MRR-Queen of
Peace, Kayang Extension, Harrison-Claudio, San Vicente, Bakakeng Norte, Bakakeng
Central, Sto. Tomas Proper, Dontogan, Sto. Tomas School Area, SLU-SVP, Lourdes
Subdivision, Lower Lourdes, Lourdes Subdivision Extension, Dominican-Mirador, San
Roque, San Luis Village, Asin Road, Rizal Monument and AZCKO; Third District:
Fairview, Campo Filipino, Camp Allen, Upper City Market, Andres Bonifacio, P. Burgos,
Cresencia Village, Central Guisad, Guisad Surong, Pinsao Pilot Project, Lower
Magsaysay, Padre Zamora, Dizon Subdivision, Camdas, Lower Quirino Hill, Middle
Quirino Hill, East Quirino Hill, West Quirino Hill, Pinget, Middle Quezon Hill, Quezon Hill
Proper, Upper Quezon Hill, Victoria Village, Irisan, Pinsao Proper, Kayang-Hilltop and
Upper Magsaysay; Fourth District: Slaughter Compound, Happy-Homes Lucban, South
Central Aurora Hill, North Central Aurora Hill, East Bayan Park, Bayan Park Village,
West Bayan Park, San Antonio Village, Ambiong, Kabayanihan, Session Road, Malcolm
Square, Lower General Luna, Salud Mitra, Upper General Luna, North Sanitary Camp,
South Sanitary Camp, A. Tabora, Trancoville, New Lucban, Magsaysay Private Road,
ABCR Barangay, T. Alonso, Kagitingan, Bagong Lipunan, Brookspoint, West Modern
Site, East Modern Site, Aurora Hill Proper, Holy Ghost Extension, Brookside, Imelda
Village, Holy Ghost-Honeymoon, Holy Ghost Proper, M. Roxas and Lopez Jaena.
(B) Each regional assembly district shall elect one (1) representative to the Cordillera
Assembly. Thereafter, the Cordillera Assembly shall reapportion the regional assembly
districts in each province or city, taking into account population, geography and
ethnolinguistic characteristics, subject to the maximum number of Assemblymen
provided for in Section 4, Article V of this Act.

SEC. 3. The Cordillera Executive Board, the Cordillera Regional Assembly, as well as
all offices and agencies created under Executive Order No. 220 shall cease to exist
immediately upon the ratification of this Organic Act.

All funds, properties and assets of the Cordillera Executive Board and the Cordillera
Regional Assembly shall automatically be transferred to the Cordillera Autonomous
Government.

SEC. 4. Until otherwise decided by regional law, the provisional seat of the Cordillera
Autonomous Government shall be at the City of Baguio: Provided, That the Cordillera
Assembly shall hold its sessions at the Baguio Convention Center: Provided, further,
That the Cordillera Governor and other executive officials shall, in coordination with the
National Government hold office in any available national executive buildings within the
City of Baguio.

SEC. 5. Civil service employees shall not be laid off, dismissed or removed as a result
of any reorganization attendant to the establishment of the Cordillera Autonomous
Region, except for cause. Their current salaries and benefits shall not be diminished nor
be lower than that of their counterparts in the National Government.

SEC. 6. Within one (1) month from the organization of the Regional Government, an
Oversight Committee composed of the Executive Secretary as chairman, the Secretary
of Budget and Management, the Cordillera Governor, the Speaker of the Cordillera
Assembly, two (2) Senators to be designated by the Senate President and two (2)
Representatives to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as
members, shall be organized for the purpose of supervising the transfer to the
Autonomous Region of such powers and functions vested in it by this Organic Act and
the appropriations of the offices or agencies including the transfer of properties, assets
and liabilities, and such personnel as may be necessary; and of identifying the other line
agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations that may be absorbed by
the Regional Government and, with respect to the latter, also the terms and conditions
of their turnover.

Within six (6) months after its organization, the Oversight Committee shall submit its
report and recommendations to the President of the Philippines who shall act on the
report and recommendations within ninety (90) days after receipt thereof: Provided,
however, That if the President fails to act within said period, the recommendations of
the Oversight Committee shall be deemed approved.
SEC. 7. Upon the organization of the Autonomous Region, the line agencies and offices
of the National Government dealing with local government, social welfare, science and
technology, labor, natural resources and tourism, including their personnel, equipment,
properties and budgets, shall be immediately placed under the control and supervision
of the Regional Government.

Other National Government offices and agencies in the Autonomous Region which are
not excluded under item (i), Section 3(B), Article III, of this Organic Act, together with
their personnel, equipment, properties and budgets, shall be placed under the control
and supervision of the Regional Government pursuant to a schedule prescribed by the
Oversight Committee mentioned in Section 6 of this Article: Provided, That the transfer
of these offices and agencies and their personnel, equipment, properties and budgets
shall be accomplished within six (6) years from the organization of the Regional
Government.

The National Government shall continue such levels of expenditures as may be

necessary to carry out the functions devolved under this Act: Provided, however, That
the annual budgetary support shall, as soon as practicable, terminate as to the line
agencies or offices devolved to the Regional Government.

SEC. 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding sections, the Government

Service Insurance System, the Social Security System, the Pagtutulungan-Ikaw,
Bangko, Industriya’t Gobyerno (PAG-IBIG) and other funds of similar trust or fiduciary
nature shall be exempt from the coverage of this Organic Act.

SEC. 9. The National Government shall, in addition to its annual allotments to the
Autonomous Region, provide the Regional Government One billion five hundred million
pesos (P1,500,000,000.00) as annual assistance for five (5) years, to fund infrastructure
projects duly identified, endorsed and approved by the Regional Planning and
Development Board herein created: Provided, however, That the annual assistance
herein mentioned shall be appropriated and disbursed through a Public Works Act duly
enacted by the Cordillera Assembly: Provided, further, That this annual assistance may
be adjusted proportionately in accordance with the number of provinces and cities
joining the Autonomous Region: and Provided, finally, That the national programs and
projects in the Autonomous Region shall continue to be financed out of national funds.

SEC. 10. All commercial logging operations in the region are hereby suspended for
twenty-five (25) years after the effectivity of this Organic Act: Provided, however, That
no new permits, licenses or concessions of whatever kind for whatever purpose,
whether regular or special, temporary or permanent, shall be issued within such period.

SEC. 11. The Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) may suspend the
implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) with respect to
ancestral lands in the Cordilleras for the purpose of identifying and delineating such
lands: Provided, That in the Cordillera Autonomous Region, the Cordillera Assembly
may enact its own law on ancestral domain subject to the provisions of the Constitution
and the principles enunciated in this Act and other national laws.

SEC. 12. (A) Within one (1) year from its organization, the Cordillera Assembly shall
create a Cordillera Commission on Customary Laws which shall have the following
functions:

(a) Assist the Cordillera Assembly in the codification of indigenous laws on personal,
family, tribal and property relations, ancestral lands, land use and land tenure;

(b) Identify, classify, and demarcate ancestral lands owned by specific indigenous
communities, families or clans; and

(c) Perform such other functions as may be provided by regional law.

(B) The Cordillera Commission on Customary Laws shall, within five (5) years from its
establishment, submit its final report to the Cordillera Assembly which shall enact a law
to be known as the Cordillera Code of Customary Laws.

(C) The composition, qualifications, manner of appointment, compensation and term of

office of the members of the Commission shall be determined by regional law.

SEC. 13. (A) The creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region shall take effect when
approved by a majority of the votes cast by the constituent units provided in Section
2(B), Article I of this Act in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty (60)
days or later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of this
Act: Provided, That only the provinces and city voting favorably in such plebiscite shall
be included in the Cordillera Autonomous Region. The provinces and city which do not
vote for inclusion in the Autonomous Region shall remain in the existing administrative
regions: Provided, however, That the President may, by administrative determination,
merge existing regions.

(B) The sum of Twenty-five million pesos (P25,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as

follows:

(a) Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00) to be allotted to the Commission on Elections

(COMELEC) for the conduct of an information campaign on this Organic Act;

(b) Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) to be allotted to the COMELEC for the holding
of the plebiscite as provided herein; and

(c) Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00) to be allotted to the Regional Government for its
initial organizational requirements.
The amount of Twenty-five million pesos (P25,000,000.00) as herein appropriated shall
be charged against the Contingent Fund; any deficiency thereof shall be taken from the
savings of the National Government.

(C) The COMELEC shall determine the manner of campaigning and the deputization of
government agencies and non-government organizations for purposes of conducting an
impartial information campaign and the requisite plebiscite.

SEC. 14. Any provision or part of this Organic Act found to be invalid or unconstitutional
shall not invalidate the provisions or parts thereof not affected thereby.

SEC. 15. All laws inconsistent with this Organic Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

ARTICLE XXII

EFFECTIVITY

SECTION 1. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers and one (1) local newspaper of
general circulation in the Autonomous Region.

Approved, October 23, 1989.

Republic Act No. 8438             December 22, 1997

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS REGION

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

PREAMBLE

We, the people of the Cordillera, imploring the Aid of Divine Providence exercising our fundamental
and constitutional right to self-determination in faithfulness to the struggle of our forbears for the
 defense of our patrimony and cultural heritage, in order to secure for ourselves and our posterity a
region of peace founded on truth, freedom, justice, love and human solidarity and establish a
Regional Autonomous Government that shall ensure our human rights, our human development,
and our participation in the affairs of the Filipino nation, do proclaim this Charter of the Cordillera
Autonomous Region.

ARTICLE I
TERRITORY AND PEOPLE

Section 1. There is hereby created an autonomous region in the Cordilleras to be known as

the "Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR)."

Section 2. (a) The area of the Cordillera Autonomous Region shall consist of the city and provinces
that shall vote favorably in the plebiscite called for the ratification of this Organic Act pursuant to Sec.
18, Article X of the Constitution.

(b) The area of the plebiscite shall be the provinces of Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Abra,
Kalinga, Apayao, and the chartered City of Baguio.

Section 3. The term Cordillerans shall apply to all Filipino citizens who are domiciled within the
territory of the CAR.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

Section 1. The Cordillera Autonomous Region is an integral and inseparable part of the territory of
the Republic of the Philippines.

The people of the autonomous region shall uphold the Constitution as the fundamental law of the
land and unequivocally owe allegiance and fidelity to the Republic of the Philippines.

The autonomous region shall be governed and administered in accordance with this Organic Act.

Section 2. Autonomy ensures for the people of the Cordillera the right to secure for themselves their
ancestral domain, develop their economy, promote their cultural heritage, and establish a system of
self-governance within the framework of the Philippine Constitution and national sovereignty, as well
as the territorial integrity of the Philippines.

Section 3. Wherever applicable, and whenever it is useful, without contravening morals and public
policies, local indigenous customs, traditions, practices, and institutions are hereby recognized and
may be availed of by appropriate parties.

Section 4. It is the primary duty of the regional government to ensure and protect the basic
individual and collective rights of its constituents and general welfare of all the people as enshrined
in the Constitution and this Organic Act.

Section 5. The exploitation, exploration, development, enjoyment and utilization of natural resources
of the region shall be consistent with the conservation and protection of ecological balance and, in
any case, shall be for the benefit and advantage of the Cordillerans.
Section 6. The CAR shall promote social justice by enacting and implementing measures to
minimize disparities between the rich and the poor, and the rural and urban areas by providing equal
or equitable access to essential services, employment and other opportunities and equitable sharing
of wealth and resources.

Section 7. The people of the Cordilleras aspire for peace founded on justice and reverence for
human life and dignity. The promotion of peace shall include the renunciation of all forms of
lawlessness, violence, cruelty, vengeance, and discrimination.

Section 8. The common good requires equal access to resources, employment, and services by all
ethnic, social, and economic sectors and the adoption of measures for the democratic sharing of
wealth, power and opportunities without distinctions based on ethnic origin, sex, language, political
conviction, economic or social status or religious belief. The regional government shall adopt policies
necessary to minimize the disparities between the rich and the poor, rural and urban areas and
among territorial subdivisions.

Section 9. The people of the Cordillera have the right, especially through their voluntary
organizations and movements to participate and be equitably represented at appropriate levels of
social, economic, and political decision-making and in the formulation and implementation of local,
regional, and national priorities, plans, programs and projects, and to monitor their implementation.

Section 10. The development of the region requires the creation of an environment that shall
provide for the basic human needs and ensure a rising standard of living for all.

The people of the region shall have prior right to the utilization and development of the natural,
material, and fiscal resources of the region. The natural, material, and fiscal resources of the region
shall be put to optimum and just use primarily for the benefit of the people of the Cordillera.

The conservation and protection of the natural environment by the Cordillera Autonomous Region
and its people is an essential dimension of regional development.

The regional government shall promote a balanced sustainable economic growth and development
in the region.

Section 11. It is the task of the Cordillera Autonomous Region to establish within the framework of
the national system of education, as defined in the Constitution and national laws, an educational
system, both formal and nonformal, that provides for its people an education of the best quality
within its means; responds to the needs of Cordillera communities; encourages creativity and critical
thinking; promotes science and appropriate technology; respects indigenous culture; inculcates
respect for human rights and the dignity of work; fosters love of God and neighbor, self-reliance,
nationalism, solidarity and other desirable Filipino values; and contributes to the common good.

Section 12. The development of the youth is a prime duty of the Cordillera Autonomous Region.
Their effective participation and representation in public affairs shall be guaranteed.

Section 13. Civilian authority shall remain supreme at all times for the protection of the freedom of
the people and for the promotion of their safety and welfare.

Section 14. The national government shall provide financial assistance to the Cordillera
Autonomous Region by appropriating such sums as may be necessary to accelerate the
development of the region.
Section 15. The regional government shall pursue a policy of holding consultation or public hearings
on matters of local and regional priorities, plans and programs as well as transparency in the
implementation of projects affecting the constituents of the local government units concerned.

Section 16. The regional government shall pursue a policy of devolution of powers and functions
whereby lower levels of government are entrusted with functions appropriate to them: Provided,
however, That until a regional law implementing this provision is enacted, the Local Government
Code shall be applicable.

The local government units shall enjoy autonomy and continue to exercise the powers granted them
under the Local Government Code.

Section 17. The regional government shall recognize the role of organized sectors and groups to
initiate the monitoring and investigation of fund utilization, work contracts and project
implementation, and the filing of charges for irregularities.

Section 18. The regional government shall adopt measures to free the people from poverty,
generate employment and develop a self-reliant economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.

Section 19. It is the policy of the Cordillera Autonomous Region to prohibit the development,
storage, use or transport of nuclear, biological or chemical weapons within the region.

Section 20. The regional government shall be consistent with the Constitution and national laws,
provide incentives to investors, corporation and business but shall adopt measures to prevent the
exploitation of natural and human resources and to ensure that such activities contribute to the
development of wealth and income among the inhabitants and local government units.

Section 21. Subject to the Constitution and national laws, the regional government shall review all
forms of future aid loans to local government units in order to safeguard autonomy and enhance
development.

Section 22. Subject to the Constitution and national laws, the regional government shall set rules
and guidelines for energy production, public transportation and communication.

Section 23. The regional government shall promote and harmonize the interests of both labor and
capital and shall protect their respective rights.

Section 24. The regional government shall ensure that women and men enjoy equality before the
law and shall in particular, prevent sex discrimination in the practice of professions, in conditions of
and opportunities for employment or promotion.

Section 25. The regional government shall enact laws to protect children against all forms of
neglect, cruelty and exploitation particularly in employment harmful to their moral, physical, or mental
health.

Section 26. Except under a state of emergency, no active military personnel shall be appointed or
designated to any public position which is civilian in character, including government-owned or -
controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries under the control, supervision and management
of the regional government.
Section 27. The regional government shall take measures to prevent torture; other cruel, inhuman,
and degrading treatment or punishment; and illegal detention and extra-judicial executions.

Section 28. Subject to the Constitution and national policies, the regional government shall pursue
reconciliation efforts and promote peace and demilitarization in the region.

ARTICLE III
THE CORDILLERA AUTONOMOUS REGION

Section 1. The Cordillera Autonomous Region is a territorial and political subdivision administered
by the Regional Autonomous Government consisting of the regional government and local
government units under the general supervision of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Section 2. The regional government shall exercise powers and functions necessary for the proper
governance and development of all provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays within the
autonomous region consistent with the declared constitutional policy on regional and local autonomy
and decentralization: Provided, That nothing in this Act shall be construed as to authorize the
diminution of the powers and functions already enjoyed by local government units.

Section 3. The President of the Philippines shall exercise general supervision over the regional
autonomous government and all local government units in the area of autonomy through the head of
the regional autonomous government to ensure that laws are faithfully executed.

Section 4. The regional government may exercise the power of eminent domain.

Section 5. The autonomous region is a corporate entity with jurisdiction in all matters devolved to it
by the Constitution and this Organic Act as herein enumerated:

(1) Administrative organization;

(2) Creation of sources of revenues;

(3) Ancestral domain and natural resources;

(4) Personal, family and property relations;

(5) Regional urban and rural planning development;

(6) Economic, social and tourism development;

(7) Educational policies;

(8) Preservation and development of the cultural heritage;

(9) Powers, functions and responsibilities now being exercised by the departments of the
national government, except:

(a) Foreign affairs;

(b) National defense and security;

 (c) Postal service;

(d) Coinage, and fiscal and monetary policies;

(e) Administration of justice;

(f) Quarantine;

(g) Customs and tariff;

(h) Citizenship;

(i) Naturalization, immigration and deportation;

(j) General auditing, civil service and elections;

(k) Foreign trade;

(10) Patents, trademark, trade names, and copyrights; and such other matters for the
promotion of the general welfare of the people of the region.

Section 6. The City of Baguio and any city within the CAR shall be governed primarily by its charter.

ARTICLE IV
THE REGIONAL LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Section 1. The regional legislative power shall be vested in the Cordillera Assembly, except to the
extent reserved by the Constitution and this Organic Act on initiative and referendum.

Section 2. Unless all the component provinces and the City of Baguio shall have been divided into
districts for the election of the members of the sangguniang panlalawigan and the sangguniang
panlungsod, respectively, and for purposes of the first election of the members of the assembly, the
provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and Mt. Province shall each elect two (2) members per district,
and the provinces of Apayao and Kalinga and the City of Baguio shall elect four (4) members at
large.

There shall be party-list representatives which shall constitute twenty percentum (20%) of the total
number of representatives including those under the party-list for three (3) consecutive terms after
the ratification of this Organic Act, one-half (1/2) of the seats allocated to party-list representatives
shall be filled, as provided by law, by selection or election from such other sectors as may be
provided by the Regional Assembly, except the religious sector.

Section 3. (a) The members of the Legislative Assembly shall have a term of three (3) years which
shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their
election.

(b) No member of the Legislative Assembly shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in
the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.
Section 4. (a) Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election of the members of the
Legislative Assembly shall be held on the second Monday of May.

(b) In case of vacancy in the Cordillera Assembly occurring at least one (1) year before the
expiration of the term of office, a special election shall be called to fill the vacancy in the manner
prescribed by regional law: Provided, That the member elected shall serve only for the unexpired
term.

(c) In case of permanent vacancy in the assembly, the regional governor shall appoint to the position
so vacated the nominee of the political party to which the member who caused the vacancy
belonged at the time of his election: Provided, however, That the appointee has all the qualifications
required by this Organic Act of a member of the assembly and none of the disqualifications provided
for in other laws, and: Provided, further, That he comes from the same district represented by the
member who caused the vacancy.

Section 5. The Legislative Assembly shall start its regular session on the first Monday of July, and
by resolution fix the day, time and place of its regular sessions, which shall be held at least once a
week. However, it may be called to a special session at any time by the Cordillera governor. In case
of special sessions, a written notice shall be sent to the members' place of residence at least twenty-
four (24) hours before the special session is held unless otherwise concurred in by two-thirds (2/3)
votes of the members, there being a quorum. No other matters may be considered at a special
session except those stated in the notice.

Section 6. (a) A majority of all the members of the Legislative Assembly shall constitute a quorum to
do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel the attendance of
absent members in such manner, and under such penalties as the Legislative Assembly may
provide.

(b) On the first regular session following the election of its members, and within ninety (90) days
thereafter, the assembly shall adopt or update its rules of proceedings which shall include, among
other things, the organization of the assembly and the election of its officers, the creation of standing
committees, the time, place and manner of convening its regular and special sessions, the conduct
and discipline of its members, the conduct and discipline of every person present during its sessions,
the preparation and publication of its journals, the determination of quorum, and the necessary votes
to pass any measure, and recall proceedings in accordance with the Local Government Code.

Section 7. Unless otherwise provided by regional ordinance, a member of the assembly shall
receive an annual salary not lower than that of an assistant secretary in the executive department of
the national government. No increase in salary provided for by ordinance shall take effect until after
the expiration of the term of office of all the members of the assembly approving the same.

Section 8. No member of the assembly may hold any other office or employment in the government
or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or -controlled
corporations, or their subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be
appointed to any office which has been created or the emoluments whereof increased by the
assembly during the term for which he was elected.

Section 9. No member of the Legislative Assembly shall personally appear as counsel before any
court of justice or before the Electoral Commission or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies.
Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with or in any other
franchise or special privilege granted by the national or regional government, or subdivision, agency
or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or -controlled corporation or its subsidiary,
during his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Regional
Autonomous Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on
account of his office.

Section 10. (a) There shall be a question hour as often as may be necessary and as the rules of the
assembly may provide, which shall be included in its agenda, during which any official of the regional
executive department may be invited to appear and answer questions and interpellations by
members of the assembly.

(b) The Cordillera Assembly or any of its committees may conduct inquiries, in aid of legislation, in
accordance with its duly published rules or procedures. The rights of persons appearing in or
affected by such inquiries shall be respected.

Section 11. The regional governor shall submit to the assembly a budget of expenditures and
sources of funds within thirty (30) days from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the
regional appropriations ordinance. The form, content and manner of preparation of the regional
budget shall be as prescribed by law.

(a) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the regional appropriations ordinance, unless it
relates specifically to some particular appropriations therein. Any such provision or enactment shall
be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates.

(b) The procedure in approving appropriations for the assembly shall strictly follow the same
procedure for approving appropriations for the regional executive department. A special
appropriations ordinance shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by
funds actually available as certified by the regional treasurer.

(c) No ordinance shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the regional
governor and the presiding officer of the assembly may, by ordinance, be authorized to augment any
item in the general appropriations ordinance for their respective departments from savings in other
items of their respective appropriations.

If, by the end of any fiscal year, the assembly shall have failed to pass the general appropriation
ordinance for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations ordinance for the preceding fiscal
year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until the proposed general
appropriations ordinance is passed by the assembly.

Section 12. (a) No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation
made by law.

(b) No money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid or used, directly or indirectly, for the
use, benefit or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion
or for the use, benefit or support of any priest, preacher, minister or other religious teacher or
dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister or dignitary is assigned to the regional
police or government orphanage and rehabilitation centers or similar institutions.

Section 13. (a) Every bill shall embrace only one (1) subject which shall be expressed in the title
thereof.

(b) No bill shall become a law unless it has passed three readings on separate days, and printed
copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to the members three (3) days before its
passage, except when the governor certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a
public calamity or emergency affecting the region, or the component provinces, cities, municipalities
or barangays. Upon the last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall be allowed, and the vote
thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in the Journal.

(c) Every bill passed by the Legislative Assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the
regional governor. If he approves the same, he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the
same with his objections to the Legislative Assembly, which shall enter the objections in its Journal
and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the
assembly shall agree to pass the bill, it shall become a law. The regional governor shall
communicate his veto of any bill to the assembly within thirty (30) days after the date of receipt
thereof; otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it.

(d) The regional governor shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an
appropriation or revenue, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object.

Section 14. The regional governor shall submit to the Legislative Assembly within thirty (30) days
from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the regional appropriations bill, budget of
expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and proposed revenue
measures: Provided, That when regional revenues are insufficient, the difference shall be funded by
the national government.

ARTICLE V
THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Section 1. The executive power in the region shall be vested in a regional governor who shall be
elected at large by direct vote of the registered voters of the CAR.

Section 2. (a) No person shall be elected regional governor unless he is a natural born citizen of the
Philippines, and on the day of election is at least thirty-five (35) years of age, able to read and write,
a registered voter in the region and an actual resident thereof for a period of not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding the day of election.

(b) The regional governor shall be assisted by a Cabinet: Provided, That the members shall as far as
practicable come from various provinces and city or cities within the CAR.

Section 3. There shall be a regional vice-governor who shall have the same qualifications and term
of office and shall be elected in the same manner as the regional governor. The regional vice-
governor shall be the presiding chairman of the Legislative Assembly.

Section 4. The regional governor and the regional vice-governor shall be elected by direct vote of
the people of the autonomous region for a term of three (3) years which shall begin at noon on the
thirtieth (30th) day of June next following the day of election and shall end at noon of the same date
three (3) years thereafter.

No regional governor or regional vice-governor shall serve for more than three (3) consecutive
terms. Voluntary renunciation of, or removal from, office for any length of time shall not be
considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was
elected.
The regular election for the regional governor and regional vice-governor shall be held on the
second (2nd) Monday of May.

Section 5. The regional governor and the vice-governor on assuming office shall take the following
oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as
Governor/Vice-governor of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, preserve and defend the
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and the Organic Act of Cordillera Autonomous
Region, execute its laws, do justice to all and consecrate myself to the service of the
Cordillera. So help me God." (In case of affirmation, the last sentence will be omitted.)

Section 6. Unless otherwise provided by law or ordinance, the regional governor and regional vice-
governor shall receive an annual salary equivalent to that of a department secretary and
undersecretary respectively of the executive department of the national government which shall not
be decreased during their tenure. No increase in the salary of the regional governor and regional
vice-governor shall take effect until after the expiration of the term of the regional governor and
regional vice-governor approving the same. They shall not receive during their tenure any other
emoluments from the government or any other source.

Section 7. The regional governor shall be provided with an official residence by the Regional
Assembly.

Section 8. If the regional governor-elect fails to qualify, the regional vice-governor-elect shall act as
regional governor until a regional governor shall have been chosen and qualified.

If at the beginning of the term of the regional governor, the regional governor-elect shall have died or
shall have been permanently disabled, the regional vice-governor-elect shall become the regional
governor.

Where no regional governor and/or regional vice-governor shall have qualified, or where both have
died or become permanently disabled, the majority floor leader and the next-in-rank officer of the
Assembly shall act as regional governor and regional vice-governor respectively until such shall
have been elected in a special election called for the purpose.

Section 9. For purposes of this article, a permanent vacancy arises when an incumbent elective
regional official fills up a higher vacant office; refuses to assume office; fails to qualify, dies; is
removed from office, voluntarily resigns, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the
functions of his office.

(a) If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the regional governor, the regional vice-
governor shall become the regional governor;

(b) If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the regional vice-governor, the majority
floor leader of the Assembly shall become the regional vice-governor;

(c) If a permanent vacancy occurs in both the offices of the governor and vice-governor, the
majority floor leader and the next-in-rank officer of the Assembly shall act as governor and
vice-governor, respectively; and
 (d) The successors as defined herein shall serve only the unexpired terms of their
predecessors.

Section 10. The regional governor shall not, during his tenure, hold any other office or employment
except as otherwise provided in this Act. He shall not engage in the practice of any profession, or
participate directly or indirectly in any contract with or in any franchise or special privilege granted by
the regional government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including any
government-owned or -controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries. The spouse and other
relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of the regional governor shall not,
during his tenure, be appointed officers or employees of the regional government except as
members of their confidential staff.

Section 11. The regional vice-governor and the members of the cabinet and their assistants shall
not, during their tenure, hold any other office except as otherwise provided in this Organic Act,
practice any profession, or participate directly or indirectly in any contract with or in any franchise or
special privilege granted by the regional government or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality
thereof, including any national or regional government-owned or -controlled corporation.

The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of the regional
vice-governor shall not, during his tenure, be appointed members of the regional cabinet or chairmen
of regional commissions, or heads of bureaus or offices, including government-owned or -controlled
corporations and their subsidiaries located in the autonomous region.

Section 12. The regional governor shall appoint members of the cabinet who shall serve at the
pleasure of the appointing authority. Such appointments shall be with concurrence of the members
of the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly may by law, vest in the members of the
cabinet, special courts, heads of agencies, commissions and boards, the power to appoint
subordinate officers.

Section 13. The regional governor shall address the Legislative Assembly at the opening of its
regular session. He may also appear before it at any time. The Legislative Assembly may invite the
President and other government officials to address it.

ARTICLE VI
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Section 1. The territorial and political subdivisions of the autonomous region are the provinces,
cities, municipalities, and barangays where applicable.

Section 2. The local government units shall enjoy autonomy and continue to exercise the powers
granted them under the Local Government Code.

Nothing herein provided shall be construed in any manner as to diminish the powers and functions
already enjoyed by the local government units.

Section 3. Subject to the President's power of supervision over local governments, the regional
government shall have general supervision over local governments within the CAR.

ARTICLE VII
PATRIMONY, ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT
Section 1. The regional government shall initiate, stimulate, facilitate, support and catalyze
development in the region.

Section 2. The regional development plan shall incorporate the priority projects identified in the
integrated local development plans and shall take into account the peculiarities of the different
environments within the region.

Section 3. The formulation and implementation of development programs in the Cordillera shall,
among other things, address the following concerns:

(a) Delineation, protection, preservation and development of watersheds, public parks, and
other government reservations that are declared by competent authorities as critical to the
survival of the communities and declaration of such areas inalienable;

(b) Respect for indigenous concepts, processes and institutions as bases of development;

(c) The need for development strategies to meet disparities in natural resource endowments
among communities. These include the need for programs that enhance physical, economic,
and social mobility of the people;

(d) The need for cooperative organizations and similar institutions as instruments for
democratizing ownership and management of public utilities;

(e) Urban land reform and socialized housing to minimize the problem of inadequate shelter
and congestion with its attendant social problems;

(f) Development and use of appropriate technology based on indigenous conservation

practices;

(g) Democratization of ownership of enterprises and equitable distribution of the benefits of

development.

Section 4. The exploitation, exploration, development, enjoyment and utilization of natural resources
found in the CAR shall be under the control and supervision of the regional government upon due
consultation, except with respect to uranium, coal and petroleum which shall be under the control
and supervision of the national government.

Section 5. The exploitation, exploration, development, enjoyment and utilization of natural

resources, except those enumerated in Sec. 4 of this article, shall be allowed to all Filipinos and to
private enterprises, including corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations.

Section 6. The regional government shall actively and immediately pursue reforestation measures
to ensure that lands not devoted to agriculture shall be covered with trees, giving priority to land
strips along the edges of rivers and streams and shorelines of lakes.

Section 7. The regional government shall adopt measures for the development of communities
occupying lands eighteen percent (18%) slope or over, by providing the necessary infrastructure,
financial and technical support.

Section 8. There shall be a Regional Planning and Development Board which shall serve as the
Regional Development Council. It shall be composed of the regional governor, as chairman, and the
following as members thereof: all the provincial governors, the city mayor, two (2) members of the
assembly to be designated by the regional vice-governor, representatives of the regional line
agencies, and the CAR congressmen or their duly authorized representatives.

The Board shall act as the planning, monitoring and coordinating body for the CAR. It shall prepare
and submit a comprehensive regional medium-term and long-term development plan, and annual
work programs to the regional governor, for proper implementation. The regional office of the
National Economic and Development Authority shall serve as the secretariat and technical arm of
the Board.

Section 9. Small-scale mining shall receive support from and be regulated by the autonomous
region, taking into consideration ecological balance and the interest of the communities where such
operations are conducted.

Section 10. The regional government may establish and capitalize a Regional Development Bank
which shall administer its own funds. The bank shall be under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas (BSP) and under the general banking laws.

Section 11. The regional government shall, in coordination with the national government, plan,
construct and maintain a system of roads interconnecting the various areas of the region to other
regions adjacent to the Cordilleras and shall establish a region-wide telecommunications system to
enable all the municipalities within the region to be equipped with telephone, telegraph or radio
facilities.

Section 12. Subject to ecological considerations, the regional government shall adopt and
implement a comprehensive urban land reform and land use program consistent with the
Constitution and national laws and policies to ensure the just utilization within their jurisdiction.

ARTICLE VIII
SOURCES OF REVENUES AND OTHER FISCAL MATTERS

Section 1. The regional government shall have the power to create its own sources of revenues and
to levy fees and charges except the power to impose taxes, subject to such guidelines and
limitations as the Constitution and this Act may provide, consistent with the basic policy of local
autonomy.

Section 2. All corporations, partnerships, and other entities directly engaged in business in the
region shall pay their corresponding taxes, fees, and charges to the province, city, or municipality
where such establishments are conducting their business operations.

Section 3. The sources of revenues of the CAR shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Fees and charges imposed by the regional government;

(b) Appropriations and other budgetary aids from the national government;

(c) Share in the proceeds from the development and utilization of the national wealth within
the region;

(d) Share in revenues generated from the operation of public utilities within the region as
may be determined by law; and
 (e) Block grants derived from economic agreements or conventions authorized by the
regional government, donations, endowments, foreign assistance, and other forms of aid,
subject to the Constitution and national laws.

Section 4. Subject to the Constitution, the regional government shall evolve a system of economic
agreements or trade compacts to generate block grants and foreign loans for investments and
improvements of regional economic structures. These economic agreements or trade compacts shall
be ratified by the assembly.

Upon the recommendation of the Regional Planning and Development Board, the regional
government shall assist local government units and regional line agencies in projects requiring
counterpart funds.

Section 5. Donations or grants to the CAR to finance, to provide for, or to be used in undertaking
projects in health, education, culture, youth and sports development, human settlements, science
and technology, and economic development, shall be deductible in full in determining the taxable
income of the donor or grantor.

Section 6. Subject to existing national laws, donations or grants to the autonomous region
exclusively to finance, to provide for, or to be used in undertaking projects in education, health, youth
and sports development, human settlement, science and culture, and in economic development shall
be deductible in full in determining taxable income of the donor or grantor.

Section 7. The Cordillera Assembly shall have the power to grant tax incentives or exemption on
taxes which the autonomous region is empowered under this Act to impose. A law granting tax
exemption shall only be passed with the concurrence of a majority of all the members of the
Cordillera Assembly.

Section 8. Foreign loans may be contracted only in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution and national laws: Provided, That the Cordillera governor may contract domestic loans
subject to the approval of the Cordillera Assembly.

ARTICLE IX
AGRICULTURE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND COOPERATIVES

Section 1. The regional government shall, as a basic policy, promote agriculture production for
domestic or commercial needs.

Section 2. The conservation, protection and utilization of water resources for agricultural purposes
shall be given priority.

Section 3. The regional government shall promote and develop inland fishery production and
establish fishery processing plants in areas where the industry is viable.

Section 4. The regional government shall undertake research and pass legislation to enforce floor
prices on agricultural and industrial products and ceiling prices on agricultural inputs, and provide
and strengthen extension services to farmers free of charge.

Section 5. The regional government shall encourage the establishment of micro-cottage, small and
medium-scale industries using efficient and productive methods. It shall undertake measures to
provide for their protection and financing requirements.
Section 6. The regional government shall provide for the proper utilization and disposal of industrial
waste.

Section 7. The regional government shall adopt measures to prevent flight of capital from the
region.

Section 8. The regional government shall adopt measures against monopolies in public utilities,
development, trading and similar concerns. It may, in the interest of regional welfare and security,
establish and operate pioneering public utilities. Upon payment of just compensation, it may transfer
the ownership of such utilities to cooperatives or other collective organizations.

Section 9. The regional government shall adopt measures to prevent the manufacture, importation,
distribution or sale of agricultural and industrial inputs found to be biologically or environmentally
harmful.

Section 10. The regional government shall adopt measures to initiate, encourage and develop
industrialization in the region, taking into account the culture and capabilities of the people of the
area to control or manage their resources, the ecological needs of the area and the conservation of
resources.

Section 11. Consistent with the preservation of cultural heritage and the protection of ecology, the
regional government shall promote eco-tourism within the region. The Cordillera Assembly shall
establish offices and facilities that shall implement tourism concerns.

Section 12. The regional government shall encourage, promote and support the establishment of
economic zones, industrial and trade centers, and airports, in strategic areas and growth centers in
the region, including the necessary support infrastructure in accordance with land use and other
environmental considerations.

Section 13. The regional government shall, in coordination with the local government units,
encourage foreign investments and the exportation of indigenous products in accordance with its
development goals and priorities.

Section 14. The regional government shall promote cooperatives as tools for economic
development, social justice, and people empowerment.

Section 15. Within one (1) year from its organization, the Cordillera Assembly shall establish a
Cooperative Development Commission and define its powers, functions and mechanism for
implementation.

ARTICLE X
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, LANGUAGE, ARTS AND CULTURE, AND
SPORTS

Section 1. The regional government shall, consistent with the Constitution and national laws,
exercise legislative powers over regional educational policies and cultural matters which shall,
among other things, include:

(a) The authority to establish educational institutions, colleges and universities: Provided,
That regional colleges and universities created by the autonomous region shall enjoy fiscal
and administrative autonomy subject to regional laws;
 (b) Promulgate regional educational policies which shall, among other things, include the
establishment of educational institutions, colleges and universities; development of curricula
relevant to the cultural heritage and responsive to the social, economic, political, and moral
needs of the people in the region.

Section 2. Private educational institutions, colleges and universities shall enjoy the protection and
support of the regional government.

Section 3. The regional government shall establish a scholarship program for gifted or deserving
students.

Section 4. The right of teachers, employees, students and parents to organize themselves and to
participate in school policy-making shall be guaranteed.

Section 5. The level of compensation and other benefits for teachers, nonteaching and other
personnel of the educational system in the region shall at least be equal to the national standard.

Section 6. Educational system in the autonomous region shall develop consciousness and
appreciation of the ethnic identity of the people of the region and shall provide a better
understanding of their cultural heritage for the attainment of national unity and harmony.

Section 7. State colleges and universities within the autonomous region shall continue to enjoy
fiscal and institutional autonomy and continue to be governed by their respective charters. However,
the regional official in charge of tertiary education shall be a member of the governing boards of
state colleges and universities in the autonomous region.

Section 8. The University of the Philippines-Baguio shall continue to remain with the University of
the Philippines System.

Section 9. The advancement of scientific research and appropriate technology on all levels of
education shall be given priority in the allocation of funds by the regional government.

Section 10. Incentives and safeguards for intellectual property right, and assistance in the
registration of patents and copyrights shall be accorded to creative artists, scientists and inventors in
the region.

Section 11. The regional government shall take steps towards the development of a common
regional language based upon the various languages and dialects in the region to enrich the national
language.

Section 12. The regional government shall design and implement regionwide physical fitness and
sports development programs which shall be a cooperative responsibility of the school, the
community, and the government.

ARTICLE XI
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WELFARE

Section 1. The regional government commits itself to social justice and shall, among other things,
adopt measures to:
 (a) Create social and economic opportunities for the less fortunate for them to become self-
reliant;

(b) Ensure equal access to opportunity for elective public service, through mechanisms that
make elections inexpensive;

(c) Uplift marginalized communities; and

(d) Democratize the ownership of the means of production and the benefits of development.

Section 2. The regional government shall promote shared responsibilities between workers and
employers in the private and government sectors.

Section 3. The regional government shall give full protection to labor and promote equality of
employment opportunities for all. Towards this end, it shall, among other things, provide for:

(a) Periodic adjustments and rational standardization of compensation rates to ensure a

living wage for all workers;

(b) Adoption of profit sharing schemes that recognize the right of workers to a just share in
the profits of business and the right of the enterprise to reasonable returns on investment;

(c) Protection of workers against unhealthy and dangerous working conditions; and

(d) Legislation for the benefit and welfare of domestic workers.

Section 4. The regional government recognizes health as a basic human right and the attainment,
maintenance and protection thereof shall be its responsibility to the people. The regional government
affirms that health is an instrument for and a product of socioeconomic development. For this
purpose, it shall, among other things:

(a) Establish, maintain, and support an effective health care delivery system utilizing primary
health care as a comprehensive and integrated approach;

(b) Ensure that the health care system is governed by the principles of service, social justice,
and equity;

(c) Popularize health knowledge and skills to enable the people to take responsibility for their
health;

(d) Give relevant training and appropriate standards for health workers and professionals;

(e) Establish and maintain an effective food and drug regulatory system which shall provide
for the adoption of an essential drug list, encourage the use of generic medicines or drugs,
and promote the use of herbal medicines and indigenous health resources;

(f) Conduct research and compile traditional healing methods and cultural health practices;
and

(g) Evolve financing schemes to effectively lessen the costs of health care.
Section 5. The regional government shall promote the well-being of the physically disabled and
mentally handicapped, the elderly, the homeless, widows and orphans, retirees, and veterans, and
assist victims of calamities, abused children and women in crisis situation.

Section 6. The Cordillera Assembly shall, within one (1) year from its organization, enact measures
embodying reintegration programs responsive to the needs of rebel returnees and rejoinees.

Section 7. The regional government shall adopt insurance and social security measures responsive
to the needs of the people to supplement existing privileges.

Section 8. The regional government, in cooperation with the private sector, shall promote housing
programs where needed, which shall be financed under liberal credit terms and shall utilize
indigenous materials, architecture and technology. Housing cooperatives to administer the projects
shall be encouraged.

Section 9. The regional government shall promote a harmonious balance between women's
personal, family and work obligations and their participation in public life. Shared parenting and
homemaking responsibilities between spouses shall be encouraged.

Section 10. The regional government shall establish and strengthen support systems and services
for working women, which include maternal and child care services, day care centers, longer
maternity leaves, paternity leaves for their spouses, and early retirement age.

Section 11. The regional government shall undertake education and information programs to
increase women's awareness of their rights and responsibilities and to correct customs, practices
and mental attitudes that stereotype and regard them as commodities.

Section 12. The regional government shall promote and support duly established peoples'
organizations and encourage the formation of organizations, especially those of the underprivileged.
Guidelines and accreditation standards to define the conditions required of peoples' organizations
shall be set without abridging their right to effective participation and representation.

ARTICLE XII
PEACE AND ORDER

Section 1. (a) The Cordillera Assembly shall enact necessary measures to promote and maintain
peace and order and public safety in the region.

(b) The assembly shall, subject to the provisions of the Constitution and existing laws, create a
Cordillera Regional Security Force taking into consideration indigenous and nonindigenous
structures.

Section 2. The Cordillera Assembly shall, by law, create a regional police force as an integral part of
the Philippine National Police under the administration and control of the National Police
Commission. It shall be headed by a police commissioner with two (2) deputies, who shall be
inhabitants of the autonomous region, to be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon
recommendation of the Cordillera Governor.

Section 3. The regional police shall be under the supervision of the Cordillera
Governor: Provided, That city or municipal mayors, who are hereby constituted as ex
officio representatives of the National Police Commission, shall have operational control and
supervision of the police force within their constituent units in accordance with law and appropriate
rules and regulations.

Section 4. The defense and security of the autonomous region shall be the responsibility of the
national government. Towards this end, there is hereby created a Regional Command of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines for the autonomous region, which shall be organized, maintained and
utilized in accordance with national laws. The national government shall have the authority to station
and deploy in the autonomous region sufficient elements of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines: Provided, That inhabitants of the autonomous region shall be given preference in
assignments therein.

Section 5. The provisions of the preceding Sec.s notwithstanding, the Cordillera Governor may
request the President of the Philippines to call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines:

(a) To prevent or suppress lawlessness, violence, invasion or rebellion, when the public
safety so requires, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution;

(b) To suppress the danger to or breach of peace in the area of autonomy, when the police
forces of the autonomous region are not able to do so; and

(c) To avert any imminent danger to public order and security in the area of autonomy.

Section 6. The regional government shall recognize indigenous structures or systems found to be
acceptable and effective in the promotion of peace and order in the region.

ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. This Organic Act shall be officially promulgated in Filipino and English and translated into
the languages or dialects widely spoken in the autonomous region. In case of conflict, the English
text shall prevail.

Section 2. For purposes of qualification for any elective or appointive public office in the Cordillera
Autonomous Region, the person to be elected or appointed must have resided in the region for at
least five (5) years immediately preceding the election or appointment.

Section 3. The Congress may, upon recommendation of the Cordillera Assembly, adopt a new
name for the Cordillera Autonomous Region.

Section 4. The regional government shall have a regional emblem and hymn.

ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS

Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Act may be proposed by the Congress of the
Philippines, upon majority vote of all the members of the House of Representatives and of the
Senate voting separately.

Section 2. Any amendment to or revision of this Organic Act shall become effective when ratified by
a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose which shall be held not earlier than
sixty (60) days nor later than ninety (90) days after the approval of such amendment or revision.
 ARTICLE XV
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Section 1. Unless otherwise provided by law, the date of the election of the first set of officials of the
regional government shall be on the second Monday of May 1998.

Section 2. Except for the regional line agencies, the Cordillera Executive Board, the Cordillera
Regional Assembly, and the Cordillera Bodong Administration as a commission, created under
Executive Order No. 220, shall cease to exist immediately upon the assumption to office of the
regional governor. For this purpose, all their funds, properties and assets shall automatically be
transferred to the regional government. Their employees shall be given priority in the filling up of
available vacant positions in the regional government, subject to civil service laws, rules and
regulations.

Section 3. The seat of the regional government of CAR shall be determined by the regional
assembly: Provided, however, That the interim seat of the regional government shall be in the City of
Baguio.

Section 4. Civil service employees shall not be laid off, dismissed or removed as a result of any
reorganization attendant to the establishment of the Cordillera Autonomous Region, except for
cause. All personnel of the national government and of government-owned or -controlled
corporations who are absorbed by the regional government shall receive equal salaries and benefits
with their national counterparts.

Section 5. Within one (1) month from the organization of the regional government, an Oversight
Committee composed of the executive secretary as Chairman, the secretary of the Department of
Budget and Management, the Cordillera Regional Governor, the presiding officer of the Cordillera
Legislative Assembly, two (2) senators to be designated by the Senate President, two (2)
representatives to be designated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the executive
director of the Cordillera Executive Board, the chairman of the Cordillera Regional Assembly, chief-
executive of the Cordillera Bodong Administration, executive director of the Office for Northern
Cultural Communities as members, shall be organized for the purpose of supervising the transfer to
the autonomous region of such powers and functions vested in it by this Organic Act and the
appropriations of the offices or agencies including the transfer of properties, assets and liabilities,
and such personnel as may be necessary; and of identifying the other line agencies and
government-owned or -controlled corporations that may be absorbed by the regional government
and, with respect to the latter, also the terms and conditions of their turnover. Within six (6) months
after its organization, the oversight committee shall submit its report and recommendation to the
President of the Philippines who shall act on the report and recommendations within ninety (90) days
after receipt thereof: Provided, however, That if the President fails to act within said period, the
recommendations of the Oversight Committee shall be deemed approved.

Section 6. Upon the organization of the autonomous region, the line agencies and offices of the
national government devolved to the regional government including their personnel, equipment,
properties and budgets, shall be immediately placed under the control and supervision of the
regional government.

Section 7. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Sec.s, the Government Service
Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS), the Pagtutulungan-Ikaw, Bangko,
Industriya't Gobyerno (PAG-IBIG), and other funds of similar trust or fiduciary nature shall be
exempted from the coverage of this Organic Act.
Section 8. The national government shall continue its annual allotment to the regional government
and devolved regional line agencies, and in addition, provide the autonomous government annual
assistance of Four billion pesos (P4,000,000,000.00) for the first five (5) years and Three billion
pesos (P3,000,000,000.00) for the last five (5) years to be allocated in the following manner:

(a) Fifty percent (50%) for regional government for regional infrastructure, livelihood and
revenue generating projects; and

(b) Fifty percent (50%) for provincial and city infrastructure.

Provided, That annually, each barangay shall receive not less than Five hundred thousand
pesos (P500,000.00), and each municipality shall receive not less than Five million pesos
(P5,000,000.00) to be taken from the share of the province where they are located. In the
case of Baguio, barangays shall take their shares from the city government: Provided,
further, That the duly elected congressional representatives shall be consulted in the
identification of the projects to be funded by the said sums: Provided, finally, That the
proposed projects, together with the regional infrastructure projects, shall be embodied in a
regional Public Works Act to be passed by the Regional Assembly.

Section 9. (a) The share of each local government unit shall be released without need of any further
action, directly to the provincial, city, municipal or barangay treasurer, as the case may be on a
quarterly basis within five (5) days after the end of each quarter, and which shall not be subject to
any lien or holdback that may be imposed by the regional government for whatever purpose.

(b) Nothing in this Organic Act shall be understood to diminish the share of local government units
under existing law.

Section 10. To carry out the powers and functions of the regional government the assembly may
create such other offices and positions as may be necessary subject to availability of funds.

Section 11. The creation of the CAR shall take effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast
by the constituent units provided in Sec. 2, Article I of this Act, in a plebiscite which shall be held not
earlier than forty-five (45) days nor later than one hundred twenty (120) days after the approval of
this Act: Provided, That only the provinces and city voting favorably in such plebiscite shall be
included in the CAR.

The sum of Eighty million pesos (P80,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated for the following purposes:

(a) Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) to be allotted to the local government units for the
conduct of a well-coordinated information campaign on this Act;

(b) Twenty million pesos (P20,000,000.00) to be allotted to the Commission on Elections

(COMELEC) for the holding of a plebiscite as provided herein; and

(c) Thirty million pesos (P30,000,000.00) to be allotted to the regional government for its
initial organizational requirements.

The amount of Eighty million pesos (P80,000,000.00) as herein appropriated shall be

charged against the contingent fund. Any deficiency thereof shall be taken from any
available funds of the national government.
Section 12. Any provision or part of this Organic Act found to be invalid or unconstitutional stall not
invalidate the provisions or parts thereof not affected thereby.

Section 13. All laws inconsistent with this Organic Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

ARTICLE XVI
EFFECTIVITY

Section 1. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its complete publication in at
least two (2) national newspapers and all local newspapers of general circulation in the autonomous
region.

Approved: December 22, 1997