After voting, anti-split town residents lose water connection?

For voting against the proposed division of Cebu into four provinces during a survey conducted by the church, some residents of barangay Tangub, Pinamungajan claim they have lost their water connection since Monday. Jimmy Pipino, secretary of the Sta. Monica Parish in Pinamungajan, said that lay minister Ponciano Makiling who was assigned to conduct the survey in barangay Tangub last Sunday told him that the water supply of those who voted against the Cebu split were cut off.

Pipino however could not yet ascertain how many households have no water connection anymore. But, according to Pipino, one of those without connection is their catechist Flora Duran. Capitol consultant Pablo John Garcia said that he already sent people to Pinamungajan to verify the report. Pablo John said that if necessary the provincial government would take police action to prevent any illegal disconnection of water supply.

It was not clear who ordered the disconnection but according to the reports gathered by the provincial government it was a barangay captain who allegedly ordered the water supply to residents cut off. "Unsa na man ni water terrorism na pud ni," Pablo John said. The barangay captain is reportedly allied with third district Rep. Antonio Yapha, one of the proponents to divide Cebu into four provinces.

All parishes under the Archdiocese of Cebu were instructed by Ricardo Cardinal Vidal to conduct a survey to determine the sentiments of people on the proposal to divide the province. Based on the results of the surveys, an overwhelming majority is against the move.

The camp of Yapha was also accused earlier of cutting off the electricity of the more than 20 lampposts leading to the Sta. Monica Parish during the Holy Week because of the critical stand of parish priest Father Miguel Abangan against the proposal and the extravagant bonuses given by the municipal government of Pinamungajan to their officials and employees.