Saturday, February 02, 2008 Benhur backs trans-axial, more districts more districts of more districts, trans-axial
REP. Benhur Salimbangon (Cebu, 4th district) offered support in terms of legislation for the trans-axial highway or the creation of more districts in Cebu.
Salimbangon noted that his district, further north, is the farthest from Cebu City were business opportunities are.
The creation of the trans-axial highway will cut travel time by at least one and a half hours.
Development
“The trans-axial highway is a good kick in the efforts of development,” said Salimbangon.
He also said he offered Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, who is behind the project, help in terms of legislation should there be a need to offer tax leeway to entice companies to invest in the project.
Salimbangon also offered the same for a build-operate-transfer scheme, if needed.
Businessmen
“This is needed in the provinces, we cannot solve anymore the problem through road widening,” Salimbangon also said.
If the highway will be realized, businessmen can bring their companies in the northern municipalities because traveling will not be a problem anymore.
If the project will not be supported, then towns farthest from the city will always be at a disadvantage.
The city has become densely populated that has since caused the onset of heavy traffic in the cities in Metro Cebu and its neighboring towns.
The huge population of Cebu also prompted Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Cebu, 6th district) to propose the creation of more districts in the province because it lacked representation in Congress.
The proposal got the support of Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu, 3rd district) who opened it during the regular Tapok-Tapok sa Kia last week.
Qualification
In the same forum yesterday, Salimbangon supported the idea and agreed with Pablo John that all Cebuano congressmen should sit down and talk.
Salimbangon explained that the province is qualified to have three more districts and two more cities.
However, guidelines need to be set on how the districts should be created.
A district should have at least 250,000 voters.
Salimbangon explained that he can already get these from the municipalities of Bantayan Island, San Remigio, Medellin and Daanbantayan.
As to Bogo City, Tabuelan and Tabogon, Salimbangon said, “Most likely there will be conflict between local government units so it has to be ironed out. We have to discuss and sit down,” he added. (JGA)
