Impeachment may delay passage of urgent bills - Benhur

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Fourth District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon expressed fear that some important bills now pending before the Senate may experience delay because of the ongoing impeachment trial against Chief Justice Renato Corona.

One of the bills Salimbangon is worried about is House Bill 3975, which affects Cebu.

The legislation seeks to declare certain lands of the public domain located in the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos and Sta. Fe in the Province of Cebu, as agricultural, commercial, residential, tourism and other similar productive purposes.

Salimbangon said the bill was already approved by the House of Representatives and has been transmitted to the Senate. In fact, a counterpart Senate Bill 2479 was already filed by former Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri prior to his resignation last year.

Salimbangon said HB 3975 is but one of his priority bills that has reached Senate. Several more are still pending before committees in the lower house.

The islands of Bantayan, Malapascua, and Carnasa, all found in the 4th District of Cebu Province, are rich with pristine white sand beaches.

While Bantayan Island is composed of the municipalities of Sta. Fe, Bantayan, and Madridejos, the islands of Malapascua and Carnaza form part of the Municipality of Daanbantayan.

These islands are now considered favorite destinations among local and foreign tourists.

Certain areas in Bantayan Island and the whole island of Malapascua and Carnaza are lands of public domain.

These areas, which total to about 13,313 hectares have been declared “wilderness” by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 2151. As such, they cannot be alienated and disposed of.

Salimbangon said that with the influx of tourism in these areas, demands for transportation and accommodation complete with water, electricity, and communication facilities must be met.    - (THE FREEMAN)