Palace declares holiday in Cordilleras

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has declared Sept. 13 a special non-working day in the Cordilleras for the commemoration of the 1986 peace talks between the government and the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army (CPLA).

The region will celebrate the 39th Sipat anniversary as provided under Proclamation 998 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Monday.

On Sept. 13, 1986, the CPLA, led by rebel priest Conrado Balweg, heeded the call for peace by then president Corazon Aquino through the forging of a “sipat” or cessation of hostilities in Bauko, Mountain Province.

The Sipat peace talks led to the signing of Executive Order 220 on July 15, 1987, which established the Cordillera Administrative Region.

“It is but fitting and proper that people of the Cordillera Administrative Region be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion,” the proclamation read.

Meanwhile, Marcos also declared Sept. 3 and 8 as special non-working days in Iriga, Camarines Sur and Makilala, Cotabato, respectively.

Proclamations 996 and 997 said the people of Iriga would mark the city’s 57th Charter anniversary and the town’s 71st founding anniversary, respectively.