BAGUIO CITY – The Aquino administration strongly supports the autonomy for the Cordillera region, a top Palace official revealed here the other day.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said no less than President Aquino recognizes the desire of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) to achieve autonomous status.

Robredo said this is consistent with Aquino’s thrust to decentralize the operation of government.

Speaking at Thursday’s celebration of CAR’s 23rd founding anniversary, the DILG Secretary said there is a need for both the national and local governments to give its best shot at a third chance for autonomy in Cordillera.

He assured that the DILG is now working on appropriate measures to decentralize the operation of the bureaucracy so that people will be able to be given prompt action on their needs provided that all transactions will be transparent in order to earn the trust of the public.