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Ilonggos resistant to change, says ConCom commissioner

By Maricar M. Calubiran

Commissioner Romela Bengzon said Ilonggos are more conservative compared to Cebuanos when it comes to liberalization issues. “Ilonggos are conservative while Cebuanos are business minded people,” she said.

Bengzon along with Commissioners Vicente Paterno and Francis Chua were part of the Consultative Commission which conducted a regional consultation in Iloilo last Wednesday. They tackled issues on national economy and patrimony relative to the proposed shift of government from presidential to parliamentary.

Bengzon, an Ilonggo, said she is not saying Cebuanos are better compared to Ilonggos but the latter is resistant to change. Prior to their visit to Iloilo City, the group held consultations in Cebu.

During the consultation, the group on national economy and patrimony presented eight issues. The issues centered on whether the foreigners would be allowed to own agricultural and industrial lands in the country, change of lease, utilization of natural resources which include mining and oil exploration, public utilities, mass media, advertisement, educational institution and Filipino First Policy as qualified.

Of the eight issues, Ilonggos only voted for the opening of educational institutions and public utilities to foreigners. The rest of the proposal was junked by the multi-sectoral group when the commission presented it to them. There were 25 people who voted for the entry of foreigners in private educational institution. Only 15 people voted against the entry of foreigners. They also agreed that there is a need for the educational system to be upgraded.

In public utilities, there were 23 people who voted for the entry of foreigners in the country, 13 people voted “no” and five abstained. Public utilities are a capital intensive business.

In the landownership, Ilonggos contended that no foreigner should be allowed to own a land in the country. Cebuanos are divided on the issue of land ownership unlike in Iloilo City where Ilonggos completely refused the proposal for foreigners to acquire land.

In most cases in the country, though the names of the Filipinos appear on the land title foreigners still own the property.

On the lease agreement, Ilonggos rejected the proposal for private corporation or association to lease a certain property for more than 25 years.

Ilonggos also do not want the foreigners to explore the natural resources of the country. They said it will cause irreparable destruction to the environment.

Bengzon explained that Ilonggos do not favor the proposal to allow foreigners to invest in the mass media industry. They still want a 100 percent Filipino ownership of radio, television and newspaper.

The proposal on the entry of foreigners in the advertisement industry in the Philippines is also junked by Ilonggos. They fear that the income of the country will be siphoned by the foreigners.

On the Filipino First Policy issue, Ilonggos still prefer Filipinos to do certain transactions in the country even if the foreigners are more capable of handling such project.