City of Borongan? Yes!!!

By SENTAY BELIZAR-QUITORIO
June 27, 2007

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Weeks ago people in this municipality were confronted by a dilemma of apprehensions and ambivalence, whether to vote “YES” or “NO” for its city hood.

“YES” won!

About 43.33% (13,650) of the 31,505 registered voters voted, where 10,176 (74.5%) said “YES” while 3,426 (25.1%) voted “NO” with a margin of 6,750 in favor of the city hood.

Immediately the local officials prepared for a celebration at the town plaza that night of June 20, with fireworks and programs with speeches of thanksgiving for the support.

It was noted though that the plebiscite last June 20, 2007 has caused some divisive atmosphere. The affirmative group composed of elected and appointed officials of the LGU gave the following answers to the basic questions:

Q: Will there be increase of taxes if Borongan becomes a city?

A: In truth, local taxes might even be reduced (No further explanation on this statement). If Borongan becomes a city there will be no increase of taxes in the next five years according to the provisions of RA 9394 (the Act creating Borongan as a city subject to the ratification by the people through a plebiscite). However if Borongan will not become a city this year, a schedule of tax increase is set next year, 2008. Instead of an additional problem on tax increase, cityhood will be an advantage, because tax increase will be ruled by the provisions of the Act.

Q: Will there be an increase of prices of the basic commodities?

A: The increase of prices is not dependent on the cityhood, but rather on the law of “supply and demand”, competitions of entrepreneurs and businessmen, prices of gasoline and oil products and others. There is even a possibility to decrease the prices if businessmen and investors will flock in and we will be able to produce our own needs which we still buy from other provinces because of lack of capital.

Q: What are the advantages of becoming a city?

A: 1. Increase of IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) from Php60M to Php240M. This minimizes the possible increase of local taxes, because there will be enough funds to use in serving the public.

2. A greater opportunity to get more funds for development from other financing Institutions because of the “sweet smelling” and “good sound” to be called “City of Borongan”. This is because for them (institutions), a city has a better standard of “good governance” (How can this be proven?)

3. Greater possibility of inviting more investors, and eventually more job generations and by opportunities, and the law of “supply and demand” more producers and increased competitions in the market will reduce the prices of products and commodities and services.

4. We will have more funds for social services such as Senior citizens, Children and Women, Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Single Parents, Indigents. The possibility of having a city hospital, with enough supply of medicine. More scholars and funds for education sector.

5. Taxes from Real Property goes to the City Government and the province will not get a share anymore. This means that Barangay will also have an increased share of funds. The environment will be more protected and will establish a sanitary land fill with modern systems of solid waste management. More funds for peace and order programs, to eradicate illegal drugs and other illegal activities and intensify the fight against crime. Funds for Infrastructures such as drainage system and farm-to-market roads.

Q: What about corruption?

A:  It will depend on the commitment and honesty of both elected and appointed officials who will implement “good governance and an active and vigilant people to watch.” The local government will exhaust all possible means of transparent governance through the Tri Media (radio, print and TV and even the Net).

Meanwhile, some people wanted to speak their minds and honestly answered the “WHY YES or NO”.

Non-non Apura, Barangay Cabong (an ex-seminarian and college graduate): “The Local officials have not shown clear and concrete directions as to plans for the next 5 to 10 years. What to do and what to be are very important questions. If there is a plan well…there are no hard documents to prove their claim. How can they prove their readiness to cope with the demands of cityhood? No drainage, No clear Environmental Protection Plan, No livelihood capability, No skills…NO STABLE ELECTRICITY”.

Marlon Arago, Government Employee (DOLE): “No alternative industries, livelihood, no other source of income except government. We will be obliged to raise revenue because of lack of alternative employment. People will be burdened by taxes and increased prices of basic commodities”

Paquito C. Padro alyas Tita Daryl (casual employee): “I like seeing Borongan becoming a city so that I will not go to Manila anymore…para mag shopping at para sosyal na ang Borongan.

Grace, student ESNCHS: “Parang nakakahiya maging city kasi palaging brownout, wala tayong airport, and pangit nga mga roads, parang walang tamang plano pa, baka sila-sila lang ang maghati-hati sa more or less P275M na IRA…’yong sabi nilang allotment galing sa  ..ewan ko po”

Anonymous: “It is good to become a city, because we will have more chances to develop, but people has to be vigilant, that the money does not go to the pockets of the officials and implementers of projects through the SOP (standard operating procedures where a portion or percentage of the fund goes to the chief of office or official elected or appointed who are implementing the project) or the elected officials might adapt the congressional pork barrel idea, so they have a clear share of the funds and very often does not give reports as to how these funds were spent. We might see mansions, luxury cars and expensive lifestyles of officials than roads and bridges, sanitary land fills and alleviated poverty indicators.”

Dr. Reinerio Zamora, chief Provincial Health Office: “If we cannot be a city now, then when? We might not be qualified under the new requirements, we can work together for a real progress…all other development plans will be carried out if we will unite and work.”

Antonio Sacmar, Board Secretary, Sangguniang Bayan: “Yes to cityhood and yes to progress of Borongan…but we have to cooperate by being vigilant as a people to ensure that funds are wisely and honestly spent for no other reason but development and for the welfare and interest of the majority.”

The local church in cooperation with NMFREL/PPCRV sponsored a forum where both “YES” and “NO” to city hood of Borongan were given the opportunity to present their questions and clarification. This was aimed at putting some clarity to arguments of both sides to help the people make a wise decision. The following arguments and questions came out:

Concrete plans as to what to do with the P275M. How much should be allotted to the following services: health, social services, infrastructures, education, environment, livelihood activities and programs and other employment alternatives?

How can we participate in your transparent governance and good governance nga asya iton iyo attraction hiton mga investors, what about your plans for electricity and other concerns of investors? How can we participate in checking how much “SOP” do you demand for every project implemented?

You said taxes and prices of commodities will not increase, then, where shall we get more revenues nga magigindemand if we do not have other employment alternatives except government employment?

Please furnish every Boronganon a plan for cityhood. Ngan kon diin ngatanan nga plano para han paggamit han dugang nga IRA mahibaruan han tawo.

In your answer to the question on corruption, nasering la kamo nga “madepende ine han sincerity, honesty and commitment han mga opisyales…ano iton iyo karuyag sidngon hine deri talaga kami makakalaum hin totoo ha iyo? ha IRA?.