Balamban has grown economically since then, and talks of it becoming the next city of the province are starting to circulate.
Talisay is already a city.
Complications
Two reasons thus come out why Cordova’s annexation to Cebu City is being raised now: Cordova is still a sleepy town and its officials are friendly to Osmeña.
Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy expressed openness to the proposal, especially now that the town’s nearest neighbor, Lapu-Lapu City, has became a highly urbanized city.
That has brought complications to the political set-up in the sixth district, with Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz already proposing to create another congressional district that includes Lapu-Lapu and Cordova.
In Sitoy’s mind, if Cordova were to be attached to a bigger territorial entity, then Cebu City would be a better choice than Lapu-Lapu considering the economic advantages.
Negative impact
Cordova’s fate, however, is not in the hands of Sitoy but in its constituents and even in the Provincial Government, which still has a hold over the town.
And the decision should be something that all those affected would not regret making later on.
Consider that an area achieving the status of a town is not easy and is not a product of the mere say-so of leaders.
It is a natural consequence of economic and political growth, among others.
A town voluntarily retreating back to the status of a big barangay or a district of another political entity, therefore, should be prepared to accept its negative impact.
Political power
The point is, Cordova may yet have a big future ahead of it as a separate local government unit considering the growth of Lapu-Lapu and major projects that the National Government intends to implement there.
If Sitoy and other town officials, including those that will succeed them, will just put their minds to it, they can make Cordova a town so progressive it can become a political power in itself.
