30 of Cebu’s 47 towns oppose Sugbu-ak move

CEBU CITY — Thirty out of Cebu’s 47 municipalities expressed in resolutions their opposition to the creation of smaller provinces within Cebu.

In a summary acquired by The Freeman from the office of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, except for the second district where only two municipalities have not issued anti-Sugbu-ak (divide-Cebu) resolutions, the third and fourth districts still have the numbers in terms of towns in favor of transforming their respective districts into separate provinces.

Rep. Simeon Kintanar aims to convert the second district into Cebu del Sur, while Rep. Antonio Yapha wants the third district to be transformed into Cebu Occidental. Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez is eyeing the fourth district to become Cebu del Norte.

In the first district, only San Fernando town has not made up its stand yet on whether to support the move to divide Cebu into four provinces.

Mayor Abe Canoy, though a supporter of the Garcias, doesn’t have the numbers in the municipal council.

But based on records, majority of the councilors supports first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas, a hardcore anti Sugbu-ak advocate.

On the proposed creation of Cebu del Sur, the towns of Ginatilan and Moalboal have not issued any resolution giving their respective side on the issue. Argao Mayor Wilfredo Caminero has expressed all-out support for Kintanar’s move.

Of the six municipalities and one city in the third district, only the towns of Aloguinsan and Balamban have issued resolutions opposing the split-Cebu move.

In Toledo City, nine barangays issued their respective resolutions opposing the split. Eleven barangays in Asturias, two in Tuburan, and three in Barili issued the same resolutions.

No entity from the barangay to the municipal level supported Garcia’s move in Pinamungahan town.

But the municipal councils of Tuburan, Asturias and Barili, whose officials are partymates of Yapha, are silent over the issue.

In the fourth district, only Daanbantayan town expressed its opposition to the Sugbu-ak move.

Only Liloan town in the fifth district has not issued a resolution stating its stand.

In the sixth district, Mandaue City and Cordova town have issued resolutions opposing the three bills, while Lapu-Lapu City and Consolacion have remained silent. — Freeman News Service