PGMA lauded by Borongan populace

By ALICE NICART (PIA Borongan)
March 17, 2007

BORONGAN, Eastern Samar  –  Bold streamers abound Friday (March 16) in Borongan public plaza shouting expressions of gratefulness to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for the conversion of the town into a city.

More or less eight lengthy streamers dominate the perimeters of the plaza with President Arroyo’s name in prominence as though indicating the people’s jubilation for the new status of their town. In varied languages, "thank you very much", "damo nga salamat" and "maraming salamat po, mahal na Presidente" wrap around the entire plaza fence.

In an interview, Mayor Fidel Anacta clarified that at 12 o’clock Thursday night, the 30-day period for the conversion into a city has lapsed despite earlier oppositions from existing city mayors. He said further that it is now a surer thing that Borongan is another city in Region 8, other than Catbalogan and Baybay which were likewise passed by Congress for their conversion.

Anacta who almost stayed in Congress with some local lawmakers, while the cityhood was in progress, said that there were 26 town-applicants in all, later however, it was trimmed down to 24 … 18 … 14 … 13 … then 12; and what was amusing he said was the fact that Borongan consistently maintained its topmost rank over the other applicants. He said that Borongan has indeed met the cityhood criteria in income, population and land area aside from the full backing of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel who argued and stood firmly in favor for Borongan’s conversion.

Meanwhile, Anacta appealed for the people from all the 61 barangays of his town to vote "YES" comes Plebiscite which is set after the May 14 election. He told the people that at present the local government unit receives P58M IRA whereas, when it shall win in the Plebiscite, P263M will be given not to mention the local income it can generate from real property taxes quarrying and amusement taxes.