League of Provinces opposes divide-Cebu move

CEBU — The League of Provinces of the Philippines yesterday approved unanimously a resolution opposing the pending bills in Congress which seek to divide Cebu into four provinces.

The league agreed with the presentation of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia that the creation of more provinces in the country would affect the current 25-percent sharing of internal revenue allotment (IRA) per province.

Garcia, in a 15-minute presentation, showed the governors that the present P96.7-million IRA share of each of the 79 provinces, including Metro Manila, would be slashed by 3.60 percent or by as much as P3.5 million if more provinces are created.

This alarmed the league members and prompted Catanduanes Gov. Leandro Verceles Jr. to move for the approval of a resolution opposing the breaking up of Cebu into four provinces.

Reps. Simeon Kintanar, Antonio Yapha and Clavel Asas Martinez had sought the creation of separate provinces out of their respective districts, which would result in the breaking up of Cebu into four provinces, each of which would be given its own share of the IRA.

Another motion, made by Misamis Occidental Gov. Loreto Ocampos, was also approved en masse calling for a moratorium on the creation of new provinces.

The league learned that there are pending bills in the House of Representatives creating also four new provinces — Dinagat Island, Western Leyte, Bukidnon del Sur, and Quezon del Sur.

The league also approved a motion of Samar Gov. Ben Evardone to create a legal panel that would defend the position of the league on the matter. Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, as head of the league, requested former governor Pablo Garcia to head the panel with four other lawyers, as members, whose names would be announced later.

Gwen later reiterated her challenge to those seeking the division of Cebu to fight her instead on the political front.

"If they wish to become governor, please do not sacrifice our province by breaking it up. They should run for governor of Cebu and I will consider them my worthy opponents," she said. — Freeman News Service