Non-Cebuano reps want Cebu broken up?

Right now, the Nursing graduates who took the Nursing Licensure Exams last June who already passed this exam are in a cliff-hanger because of the possibility that they might be made to retake the Nursing exams because of a clear evidence of cheating. Right now, we only hear deafening silence from the Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) who should rule on this as soon as possible. If you ask me, it is easy enough to pinpoint whom amongst those who passed the exams were recipients of the leakage coming from the Nursing Board. PRC should punish the cheats only!

* * *

No doubt, the efforts of those who wish to destroy and dismember our beloved Province of Cebu are still at it, working away from the prying eyes of the Cebu media because they are doing their sinister moves away from public view inside the hallowed halls of Congress. While Rep. Simeon Kintanar, Rep. Antonio Yapha and Rep. Clavel Asas Martinez had this measure approved in the 1st reading in Congress, I don't look at this as a victory at all.

In fact, now it can be revealed to the Cebuano public that the decision to break up our Province shouldn't be left in the hands of people who have nothing to do with Cebu. For instance, this measure got the support of other Congressmen, namely Rep. Matoy Barinaga, Harlene Abayon, Eduardo Roquero and Crispin Remulla who voted in favor of breaking up the Province of Cebu. It makes me wonder what if our Cebu Congressmen also did the same and okayed a measure to break up their own Provinces?

That this Congress can make or break up Provinces (we now have 79 Provinces, while China with its more than one billion people and huge land mass has only 24 Provinces) is one of the reasons why we should get rid of the Cory Constitution because important decisions like the breaking up of our Province are decided by Congressmen (here we have last termer Cebuanos in Congress doing this) who shouldn't make decisions for Cebuanos!

While this process will still take some time, it has become like an old underwater mine where even when the war is over, it still poses a threat to ships. The danger here is that, this process has already began in Congress and it should be stopped on its tracks as quickly as possible. It is like a small glowing ember which, if left unattended could still explode into a conflagration of disastrous proportions.

At this point, I would like to hear what the other members of Congress are doing who are not in favor of dismembering the Province of Cebu. Remember what Edmund Burke once said, "For evil to flourish, it is enough for good men to do nothing!" If those in Congress who are against this measure are doing nothing, then God forbid someday, we just might see a divided Cebu! So don't say we didn't warn you… speak out now!

* * *

When do we ever start learning from the mistakes of the past? How many times here have we written that whenever there is a fire or conflagration that strikes a barrio, sitio or barangay that grew without clear parameters like wide roads or spaces in between houses or shanties, then the local government unit (LGU) shouldn't allow the reconstruction of these affected homes until proper arrangements to assure the security and safety of homeowners are put in place.

The other day, 17 homes were destroyed in the coastal barangay of Dumlog, Talisay because of freak waves. Less than a day later, the homeowners were seen rebuilding their homes. With the world's weather systems gone haywire, we can expect more freak waves to affect our coastal areas. I say it is time for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to decide not to allow the construction of homes within a certain distance from the shore. I know that this is difficult to enforce, but like it or not, this should be done to protect life, limb and property.

* * *

Talking about Talisay, one cannot avoid making a comment about the transfer of my good friend, Cebu City Councilor Gabriel Leyson to this city. Gabby has made no secret about his plans to run for Mayor of the City of Talisay, despite his being a resident of Cebu City. This is not to say that he is already a shoo-in and I'm sure that Talisay City Mayor Soc Fernandez isn't a bit scared that Leyson will be his possible political rival to the mayor's seat in the coming Mayoralty race in May of 2007 because as mayor he has done a lot for Talisay City. For sure, the coming of Gabby Leyson will make the Talisay Mayoralty race quite exciting.

* * *

For email responses to this article, write to vsbobita@mozcom.com.