More resolutions filed to oppose HB 4820

PROVINCIAL CAPITOL, Pili, Camarines Sur (Dec 10, 2011) – About 20 resolutions have been passed by different Provincial Boards all over the country in support of an initial resolution passed by the League of Vice-Governors of the Philippines that seek to defer the passage of House Bill 4820 (creating the new province of Nueva Camarines) and other similar bills

This was revealed by Camarines Sur Vice-Governor Fortunato Peña, a staunch opponent of the  partition of the province, adding that the resolutions were already forwarded to the Senate committee on Local Government.

Peña said the deferment of the bill is sought by the Vice-Governor’s League because of the low Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) in 2012 and 2013, which shall further dilute the IRA of existing provinces if new ones are created.

According to Peña, Senator Bongbong Marcos, chairman of the Senate committee on Local Government,  has promised to conduct a public hearing on HB 4820, which is now pending in his committee, right here in Camarines Sur. The said bill passed the Lower House of Congress back in June this year without public hearing, Peña added.

Sources from the camp of Deputy Speaker of the House, Camarines Sur Congressman Arnulfo Fuentebella, the bills main sponsor, confirm that HB Bill 4820 has languished in the Senate six months after its transmittal to the Senate.(Sonny Sales)