Submitted by Vox Bikol on
Naga City, (April 28 2011) – The creation of the 4th legislative district of Camarines Sur as a new province redounds to the benefit of the constituents of the district, but the national government, now taking on a crippling budget deficit, may not have the capability nor the willingness to support the clamor.
This is the opinion of lawyer Norberto Manlangit, an expert on Local Government Code of the Philippines (LGC) and a constituent of the 4th district, also known as the Partido Area.
Manlangit acts as the facilitator of an incoming summit, scheduled in Naga City on May 21 this year, tackling the creation of a new province.
When created, the new province is entitled to an automatic Internal Revenue Allotment releases from the national government. But the Aquino administration may not be too eager to stretch its finances. “Our administration may not support this move even if the 4th district has met all qualifications for its creation as a new province because of the financial crisis”, Manlangit admitted.
According to Manlangit, Camarines Sur with 35 municipalities and 1 component city spread accross a huge area (5,266.8 square kilometers) is now hard to manage. Dividing Camarines Sur into two smaller provinces results in easier governance, Manlangit adds.
Meanwhile, 4th district Congressman Noli Fuentebella who promised to file a bill creating the province of Camarines Oriental (or Nueva Camarines) when congress resumes sessions in May, appears to be doing his homeworks. Second distric Congressman Dato Arroyo admits that Cong. Fuentebella has asked for his support but he prefers to make a final decision on the issue after consulting with his constituents. Another prospective supporter, first district Congressman Rolando Andaya, Jr. has yet to make a pronouncement on the matter.