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Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Gwen challenges PB members: Take a stand on Sugbuak now
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is calling on members of the Provincial Board (PB) to make up their minds on the issue of creating three more Cebu provinces and stop being fence-sitters.
This is after the board deferred approval of the resolution that PB Member Victor Maambong sponsored to express “strong support” for the signature campaign that the Capitol initiated to get the sentiment of the public.
“Dili ta mahimo nga kanunay na lang ta mamangka sa dalawang ilog and to forever stay in the gray. They said the hottest place in hell is reserved for those who just sit in the fence and do nothing. I hope they bring their air conditioners with them if they go to the hottest place in hell,” she said in a press conference.
Deferred
Maambong, in his proposed resolution, said the signature campaign is the “perfect method of expressing the real pulse and vehement objection of intelligent and sensible Cebuanos.”
But he agreed to have action on his resolution deferred after PB Members Jose Ma. Gastardo, Antonio Almirante Jr. and Joven Mondigo expressed their opposition.
The three PB members are supportive of Cebu del Sur, Cebu del Norte and Cebu Occidental.
“It’s time that they make up their minds because the Cebuanos have long made up their mind and the Cebuanos do not want this Province to be broken apart. Maybe they should try listening to the Cebuanos if they are still confused. Let’s give them a chance but they should make up their mind and stand up for what is right, whatever the political cost and regardless of personal interest. The Cebuanos know what is right. As Cebuanos themselves, they should know what is the right thing to do,” Garcia said.
Gastardo, during last Monday’s session, said the creation of new provinces is embodied in the Local Government Code and because of this he agrees with the law’s authors that creation of new provinces “is not evil.”
Out of context
But Garcia has a reply to Gastardo’s argument.
“It is also included in the Local Government Code: Provided, that the original province does not fall below the minimum requirement of 2,000 sq. km. The passage of these three bills would mean that the original province would fall below (the minimum requirement). Has he read the entire Local Government Code? Let’s just hope they do not take things out of context and pick upon certain words, string them together in order to justify and unjustifiable cause,” Garcia said.
Reps. Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha and Clavel Martinez sponsored the bills to make their respective district into separate provinces.
They said their move will bring government closer to the people and would mean more development.
The bills passed the House committee on local government and are now with the committee on rules. (MBG)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 20, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
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