Borongan holds Grand Rally for cityhood

By ALICE NICART (PIA Borongan)
June 19, 2007

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Exactly two days before the Plebiscite which will convert Borongan town into a component city of Eastern Samar province, a grand rally was conducted last night at the town’s plaza which bore the theme: “Yes to progress, yes to cityhood!”.

In his welcome talk, the three timer mayor, Fidel Anacta Jr. appealed to the audience to consider the future of Borongan’s generation, the children and the poor who are assured of more benefits once the economic rewards of being a city are put in place.

He further appealed apparently to his political rivals to set aside once and for all, politicking, and instead create a unified stance for “Yes” vote in the Plebiscite tomorrow, Wednesday, June 20. According to Anacta, “It’s now or never” saying further that if Borongan will not achieve it this time, it (cityhood) shall not happen anymore in the future adding that the Local Government Code’s annual income requirement is getting higher. He said that the current requirement by which Borongan had been exempted is already pegged at P100M while it has only completed the P20M as previously required. He stressed that no other sector, organization, much less, persona could ever offer such a huge amount which could change tremendously the lives of the Boronganons for good.

Likewise, reelected councilor Danny Amboy revealed an honest personal feeling when he approached the microphone.  According to him he has started shying off himself from the public when the cityhood issue and increased IRA began to be talked about in just any place of Borongan because according to him a negative perception of some narrow-minded people has reached them in the municipal hall, which said that the new IRA will be divided among themselves. Amboy dismissed the wrong notion and appealed likewise for their critics to be reasonable.

That nasty rumor was vindicated by the supportive pronouncement of big time businessman (at least by Borongan standard) Oscar Ty who owns the famous Uptown Mall. “Oca” as friends call him expressed support to the cityhood, which according to him is sent likewise by his business comrades. He said that there is no problem with them because once the economic activity becomes busy, that would mean more investments, more money in circulation, more competition and cheaper goods, products and services.

DTI Provincial Chief Eleanor Alido also explained her view. At present, according to her, we buy more of our raw materials and agri products from outside Eastern Samar and with this act, the province’s money flows out of the place and never returns. When some finances could be granted for farming and livelihood as in acquiring more IRA allocation to provide assistance to marginalized sectors, then it can spell a difference in the lives of the Boronganons. She jibed that the cityhood thing is like winning the jackpot Lotto game that there is no reason why people should not vote “Yes”.

However, in his closing remarks, SBM Jessie Solidon expressed dismay over the negative stance of a candidate he voted for he said, in the recently held provincial election. The Veterinarian turned legislator said what a waste of his vote when he heard of the crackling negativism of the elected lady. He said he thought that she would go for development of the people and place and not assert of Borongan being “not yet ready?”

Nonetheless, Solidon’s sinking mood was thwarted by a resounding applause of the audience as though telling him that the lady’s remark was “no big deal”, because the cityhood will obtain the plurality of the votes.