Opponents of CAMSUR split show force

PILI CAMARINES SUR (Sep 2, 2011) - The campaign to oppose the splitting of Camarines Sur to form a new province of Nueva Camarines took place Tuesday (August 30) at the provincial capitol convention center with a show of force of more than 2000 people that included local government officials and residents mostly wearing yellow shirts.

The slogans “Cam. Sur No! To Hati” and “No! To Bukag Cam. Sur” were written in banners and the participants' shirts.

The target of the opposition was House Bill (HB) 4820 titled "An Act Creating the Province of Nueva Camarines" that is supported by 4 out of the 5 congressmen of Camarines Sur. Congressman Sal Fortuno of the 5th district is the lone exception as he joins forces with Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte in campaigning for an undivided province.

The event came a week after proponents of the creation of Nueva Camarines led by Congressmen Luis Villafuerte, Arnulfo Noli Fuentebella, Rolando Andaya, Jr. and Dato Arroyo launched their own campaign to gain wide popular support for HB 4820. This other show of force was attended by 24 out of 35 mayors in the province.

In an impassioned speech, Governor LRay Villafuerte talked of the advantages of a big undivided province and enumerated reasons why Camarines Sur should not be split. He cited a study that in cases of division, the retained province suffers economically.

At the same time, the governro attacked Congressman Arnulfo Noli Fuentebella,the main author of HB 4820, who he accuses of irregularities in millions of peso projects in the congressman's district.

Ironically, Fuentebella found an unlikely defender in a long-time political rival, Congressman Luis R. Villafuerte, the governor's father and a co-author of HB 4820.

"But it doesn't matter. These (irregularities) are not included in the issue of creating a new province. What is the relevance of that?," said Congressman Villafuerte.

While the local chambers of commerce and industry are still non-committal on the issue, the national chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has apparently made up its stand.

In a comment that appeared directed to the residents of Camarines Sur, Ambassador Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis Jr. PCCI Chairman, who was here for the Southern Luzon Business Conference, said "Here you are doing (well)...and surpassing everybody and tama yung formula, bigla mong gagalawin."

One of the most passionate attendee was a woman from Presentacion whose child is a beneficiary of the governor's college scholarship and is worrying that when the split pushes through, the education of her child might be put in jeopardy.

Lolita Carlson of the famous band, ASIN, entertained the crowd and sang the theme song of the movement, 'No to Hati Camsur."

The event culminated with the attendees simultaneously raising their fists and declaring the movement's mantra, "Walang Iwanan. Walang Hatian."