A SEPARATE federated region of Cebu?
The proposal to drop Bohol from Central Visayas, leaving Cebu by itself, and annex Bohol to Eastern Visayas, with Leyte and Samar, has been submitted to the Consultative Committee (ConComm).
But Concomm already approved last July 3 the draft constitution that would shift the government to a federal system. In the draft, the country will have 16 federated regions, including one for the separated Negros region, and two for the Cordilleras and Bangsa Moro. Is there still a chance for the Cebu proposal to be included in the draft?
'Receptive'
Adelino B. Sitoy, presidential legislative liaison secretary and author of the proposal, said he presented it last week and many ConComm members were "receptive" to it. Sitoy, former assemblyman and Cordova town mayor, is a Concomm observer. While he is not a member, he has actively participated in ConComm's deliberations.
In an interview Thursday, July 5, Sitoy said the group's work is not yet complete. For one, it still has to finalize the composition of regional assemblies and approve the appendix "The Cebu proposal could still get in," he said.
Negros and Siquijor having been taken out, Central Visayas region is left with only Cebu and Bohol. Bohol with 1.316 million population, against Cebu's 4.632 million, would be "uncomfortable" in the partnership. It would've no chance to get a Senate seat (two for each region) and would've only two seats, against Cebu's eight, in the regional assembly. Bohol, Sitoy said, also wants to be on its own, which is "very unlikely" to gain ConComm support.
A bridge away
If lumped with Leyte (two provinces), Biliran, and Samar (three provinces), Sitoy said, Bohol would have "a fair chance" to have larger legislative representation, including the right to elect the governor who will be picked by members of the regional assembly.
He also cited the factor of contiguity. Bohol may be connected by a 16-kilometer bridge to Leyte (via President Garcia and Maasin towns), much shorter than any possible bridge that may link Bohol to Cebu. Bohol's international airport would also boost Eastern Visayas, which has none.
Self-interest
But the Cebu proposal, Sitoy admitted, is also tainted with some amount of self-interest. He cited "historical significance and symbolism," notably its place in history and the national stage, from Magellan and the heroes of war to its contribution to the nation's pool of political, business and educational leaders and achievements in various fields.
And Cebu could do even much better on its own, Sitoy said. And he conceded "we would have less heavier economic load" as each province in the region would have to help each other in the upkeep.
The draft constitution provides that each federated region shall get 50 percent of taxes collected from income, excise, VAT and customs duties and 50 percent of net taxes from development and use of natural resources. It is not yet known how provinces in each region share in the funds. A Federal Inter-government Commission is supposed to administer an equalization fund to help financially weak regions.
What people think
What is also not determined is how residents of Cebu and Bohol think of the idea: Cebu standing alone or partnered with Bohol. There is no provision that requires approval of the residents in the provinces affected by the regional structure, particularly in the case of Cebu which still has to undergo the process that Negros took.
And how would Cebu's political leaders, not known for unanimity, would respond, especially when it reaches the second stage of amending the Constitution: the work by the constituent assembly.
Even if not included in the ConComm draft, it may still be included in the constituent assembly debate. Congress will not be limited to the ConComm draft. Anyway, Sitoy said, the plan is there, worthy of serious consideration.