Garcia to meet Cebu solons

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is meeting the six congressmen next week purposely to discuss the proposed redistricting of the province.

Garcia did not tell the exact date but she said it is going to be a dinner meeting with all representatives of Cebu.

The move came following the clamor of some legislators, including her father 2nd District Rep. Pablo Garcia, to create a new congressional district in Cebu.

The governor’s father had already filed in Congress a bill seeking to divide the second district into two. Sixth District Rep. Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing is also urged to work on the passage of a bill creating Mandaue City into a lone congressional district.

Mandaue City belongs to sixth district together with the municipalities of Consolacion and Cordova. Lapu-lapu City was part of it before it became a lone district.

Garcia saw the need to add more districts in the province to be properly represented in Congress and to get more resources.

She cited how the 15 towns of second district divided the P70 million Priority Development Assistance Fund of his father. Garcia said it is unfair for the 15 towns sharing P70 million while in the sixth district only two towns and one city are sharing the same amount.

Representatives Eduardo Gullas (first district), Pablo (second district), Pablo John Garcia (third district), Benhur Salimbangon (fourth district), Ramon “Red” Durano VI (fifth district) and Quisumbing were invited in the meeting.

One of the contentious issues expected to be discussed during the meeting would be the situation of Cordova when Mandaue City becomes a lone district.

Cordova which is attached to Mactan Island was isolated after Lapu-lapu City lone district. (FREEMAN)