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Sunday, December 18, 2005
Let me do my job, guv tells brothers over hydro plant
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will soon be meeting with Cebu Electric Cooperative (Cebeco), barangay chiefs and all other groups concerning the Mantayupan Falls in Barili town that has been used for a hydro power plant.
Her brothers, Byron and Marlon, organized a group called Barug Barili and they will be spearheading the filing of a petition for the pullout of the hydro plant from the falls, as it has damaged the tourism value of the place.
“I strongly urged all parties concerned to allow me as governor to do my job. I am stepping into this,” Garcia said yesterday in reaction to the creation of the group.
When asked for comment, Byron said, “I firmly believe the falls is beyond the commerce of man. It belongs to the people of Barili and let the people do its work. With the governor’s support, I am sure something concrete and positive will come out.”
Garcia said she discussed with the Provincial Board (PB) the Mantayupan Falls and, during her visit to the southern town last month, she sent PB Member Agnes Magpale to check the status of the falls.
Cebeco 1 runs the hydroelectric plant. The falls had been closed as its 31,536 cubic meters of water have been diverted to the facility.
“It is always so much better to sit down, discuss, sift through the issues and come to an understanding before dramatizing everything, which may not achieve anything at all,” the governor said.
Politicking
Byron, Capitol consultant on security, lamented that too much politicking had made the once-famous Barili lose its stature as a premiere town.
He had suggested to the governor during a department heads’ meeting before her visit to Barili that Mantayupan Falls should be given attention.
“I am thankful that my suggestion did not fall on deaf ears,” he said, adding that he also has informed Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano about their group and their intention to make the falls among the tourism attractions of Cebu.
Former governor Pablo Garcia, father of Gwendolyn, Byron and Marlon, said he will support Barug Barili’s plan to file a petition before the court, so the hydro power plant could be dismantled.
Gwendolyn has also talked to her father about her move to step into the matter.
“He agrees with my stand that it is my duty, my responsibility and, therefore, my mandate to face this issue. I hope to settle this sans politics,” she said. (MBG)
(December 18, 2005 issue)
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