Palace declares Sept. 13 as non-working day in Cordillera

Baguio: Malacañan Palace declared Sept. 13 as a special non-working day in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) in commemoration of the 38th anniversary of the peace agreement between the national government and the local armed group. Proclamation 672 issued on Aug. 29 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, by the authority of President R. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., aims to give the people of the region an opportunity to participate in celebrating the historic peace agreement. On Sept. 13, 1986, President Corazon Aquino signed the 'Sipat' agreement which called for the cessation of hostilities by the local armed group Cordillera Bodong Administration (CBA) and the Cordillera Peoples Liberation Army (CPLA) led by the late former priest Conrado Balweg. The Sipat is considered the first most successful peace agreement, which until now is being adhered to and honored by the people in the Cordillera as the clamor for autonomy continues. The agreement paved the way for the signing of Executive Order 220 on Jul y 15, 1987 and the inclusion of provisions in the Constitution creating the CAR in preparation to its becoming an autonomous region. Source: Philippines News Agency