Letter to the Editor - Sugbu-ak: A misnomer

Why do people opposed to the proposal seeking to create three new provinces in Cebu love to call the move "Sugbu-ak"? The proposed creation of the provinces of Cebu del Sur, Cebu Occidental and Cebu del Norte, out of the first, second and third districts of Cebu, respectively, is not intended to disintegrate this province into pieces. The real "division," if it is so deeply well understood, dwells only on territorial jurisdiction and not geographical break-up, much less dislocation.

It is sad to note that the oppositors are out to discredit the good and honest intentions of our concerned Cebuano lawmakers by soliciting the sympathy of the common folks, the Church and the media, through deceptive and misleading intentional use of the term "Sugbu-ak."

These oppositors would like the Cebuanos to believe, understand and use the term in a manner that would lead to the ultimate death of the proposal, thus rallying to the masses with even absurd terminologies only themselves would appreciate.

But for those intelligent Cebuano taxpayers out there, the term "Sugbu-ak" neither tastes palatable nor sounds sensible because its obviously shallow implication does not fit the true and real meaning of the proposal which is to create new provinces and not butcher, ax, or chop the existing mother province of Cebu.

Indeed, we feel sorry that an exact and appropriate term has not been adopted in the mind of many rational Cebuanos due to the oppositors' misguidance. But for them who are ready to stand corrected, we welcome you and join the chorus that for certain, the term "Sugbu-ak" is a big, fat misnomer.
Basiliso M. Sungcad Jr.
Ronda, Cebu