Cordova town may be part of Cebu City but not soon

CEBU, Philippines – Mayor Tomas Osmeña is optimistic that the move to declare Lapu-Lapu City a separate district would pave the way for the Municipality of Cordova to become part of Cebu City but the two Cebu City congressmen believe this might not happen soon.

Cebu City South District Representative Antonio Cuenco told The Freeman the move would call for Constitutional amendment “since requirements are clear that the parties concerned has to be compact, adjacent and contiguous.”

“Else, we are violating a law,” Cuenco said.

For his part, Cebu City North District Representative Raul del Mar said Cordova cannot be part of Cebu City at this point in time, considering that it is part of the province as its municipality as part of the old district, the sixth district.

“It could be possible in the future but that will have to be in agreement not only with officials of Cebu City and Cordova but also with the Province of Cebu and 6th District and its residents,” Del Mar said.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama also shared the sentiments of the congressmen, saying the move would need approval from Cordova and, more importantly, legislative intervention both from the councils of the two local government units, as well as the House of Representatives.

“There has to be that willingness of Cebu City to take in and of course the desire of Cordova to form part of Cebu City,” Rama said.

Rama said this scenario can be likened to case of barangays Pardo, San Nicolas, Talamban and Mabolo that used to be municipalities but later joined in as barangays of Cebu City.

City Councilor Gerardo Carillo who is eyeing a congressional seat said it is possible to have Cordova part of Cebu City, considering that the municipality is far from Consolacion to make up the rest of the sixth district.

“This is something that we have to advocate for the betterment of both….and Cordova will also benefit from the growth of the City,” Carillo said.

City Planning and Development Officer Nigel Paul Villarete said Cordova will not only become a bedroom community of Cebu City but even has the potential to become a center of development considering that it is very near the South Road Properties and barely 500 meters away from the City Hall.

“We just have to build a bridge over Shell Island and then ferry to Cordova to solve the separation by sea issue,” Villarete said.

Following a hearing on House Bill No. 5007 authored by Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, the Senate Committee on Local Government chaired by Senator Benigno Aquino III is set to recommend for approval to the plenary of the Senate the separation of Lapu-Lapu City as separate district.

This move will, in effect, split the existing sixth district into two legislative districts, thereby giving additional representation and consequent funds for development.

H.B. No. 5007 was approved by the Lower House sometime in the last quarter of 2008 and transmitted to the Senate on October 6, 2008. H.B. No. 5007 is a substitute bill to HB No. 1306, which originally proposed the creation of one district for Mandaue City and Consolacion and one district for Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova.

Due to a complexity that Lapu-lapu City voters could not anymore vote for provincial elections while Cordova residents can, it was decided in the course of deliberations to lump Cordova, Consolacion, and Mandaue City as one district by making Lapu-Lapu City a lone district by virtue of its being a highly urbanized city.

While Mandaue is a highly urbanized city, its charter allows it to continue to vote for elections of provincial officials as an exception thus making it similarly situated on that regard with the other two municipalities.

This compromise is also more acceptable by other Cebu leaders such as Rep. Pablo Garcia and Pablo John Garcia. - Ferliza C. Contratista and Johanna T. Natavio/JMO (THE FREEMAN)