Jonas, Luigi mum on Radaza province bill

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes will comment on Rep.-elect Aileen Radaza’s proposal to convert the lone district of Lapu-Lapu into a province only after he has studied it and has heard what Cebu Governor-elect Hilario Davide III has to say about it.

He said the provincial government and Cordova town being there have to be taken into account before he decides what to say.

According to some analysts, once Mactan Island becomes a province with Cordova joining it, Mandaue City can become a lone congressional district.

A separate district may be created for the towns of Consolacion and Liloan.

Cortes said sixth distrIct Rep.elect Gabriel Luigi Quisumbing is open to the idea of making Mandaue a lone congressional district.

Quisumbing said he will monitor the bill’s progress and attend committee hearings on the measure in Congress.

“I’d prefer to hold my comments until the actual bill has been filed to see how the proponent intends to accomplish this as well as to see the possible benefits or drawbacks,” Quisumbing said.

In converting Mactan Island into a province, Lapu-Lapu City will be downgraded into a component city while Olango Island and 11 barangays will be upgraded to towns.

The move has the support of Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy as he expressed interest in including his town in the proposed province owing to its location near Lapu-Lapu City. (FREEMAN)