Mayor Basmayor on CAMSUR Partition:"Wait for the Bill"

Naga City (May 24, 2011)—“Let us wait for the bill before we talk about it!” This was the neutral stand of Minalabac Mayor Gil Basmayor regarding the proposed partitioning of Camarines Sur.

This is a typical noncommital reaction among a group of Camarines Sur politicians who like to see the talking points on the province's proposed partition established before presenting their public stand.

Congressman Noli Fuentabella of the 4th district is reportedly set to file this month a bill for creating a new provice, Nueva Camarines, out of his legislative district.

It is not clear as yet whether or not Fuentebella plans to include the 5th district - the Rinconada area - in the proposed province.

The proposal has reportedly gone through consultations in different municipalities and has received mostly favorable responses.

According to Mayor Basmayor, before Fuentebella files his bill at the House of Representatives the partition proposal remains a rumor not worth debating about.

“I heard a rumor that there was a proposal to divide Camarines Sur but Why would we bother to talk about it if there was no bill filed in Congress yet,” he said.

Mayor Basmayor said that Mayor Arni Fuentabella of Tigaon already talked to him and mentioned Cong. Fuentebella’s proposal. But he is yet to see even a draft of the bill that backs the proposal.

Congressman Luis Villafuerte of the 3rd district is reportedly planning to co-author the said bill, which as reports go is also supported by many mayors in Camarines Sur and by 1st district Congressman Rolando Andaya Jr. and 2nd district Congressman Dato Arryo.

Cong. Sal Fortuno of the 5th district and Governor Luis Raymond Villafuerte Jr. strongly oppose the idea of partitioning Camarines Sur.