House postpones talks on Culasi townhood
Congressional invites sent to members of the 9th Iloilo Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) will have to wait yet another day for its realization. With the creation of another Iloilo municipality in focus, The News Today (TNT) gathered that postponement was sought anew for an undisclosed period of time.
This, as compliance of major requirements was asked from the principal proponent of the bill, Iloilo Fifth District Board Member Neil Tupas Jr.
The confirmation was reached by TNT from House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor Sr. (Third District, Iloilo) who openly expressed doubts on the bill’s future.
Tupas Jr. has since moved to push for the townhood of Culasi, a major village in the Municipality of Ajuy, Iloilo. Problem though is, pointed out by Defensor Sr., the Fifth District solon lacked the backing of primary stakeholders.
“We have the barangay and town officials of Ajuy objecting. We also have a Resolution from the Provincial Board expressing the same. We have more objections from the Sangguniang Kabataan and the Liga ng mga Barangay. How can you go against the great majority?,” Defensor Sr. asked. “The move will also affect the economic development of Ajuy and will downgrade its classification. Kung tani ang plano indi dapat maperwisyohan ang mga pumuluyo (The plan should not let the people be in a disadvantage).”
In comparison, Defensor Sr. pointed out how similar efforts for his howetown Mina did not face such objection and problems.
Once part of the Municipality of Pototan, Iloilo, Mina under Defensor Sr.’s leadership managed to gain townhood with full support of the locals.
The Tupas Jr. Culasi Bill is House Bill No. 3753 “inspired” by the proposal to create a “Municipality of Culasi.” The proposed town will be composed of barangays Barrido, Bay-ang, Culasi, Luca, Malayu-an, Nasidman, Pedada, Pili and Sto. Rosario of Ajuy, Iloilo. Added to the list are barangays San Fernando and Santiago of the Municipality of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo.
The bill is pending before House Committee on Local Government chaired by Representative George Arnaiz.
Tupas Jr. in seeking the passage of the bill stated that “indicators” are out that said barangays have “potential for growth.”
As such, “….the conversion of said barangays into the Municipality of Culasi is warranted and long overdue.” The people here, Tupas Jr. added, “have displayed the ability for self-governance and their readiness to chart their direction as a people.”
“The profile of the barangays of the proposed Municipality of Culasi more than satisfies the requisites for the creation of a municipality as provided in The Local Government Code of 1991,” Tupas Jr. justified in the bill’s Explanatory Note.