Mactan pursues dream of becoming a province

CEBU, Philippines -  Mactan Island is, if truth be told, dead serious about becoming a province.

Newly elected representative of the lone district of Lapu-Lapu Aileen Radaza has said the first bill she will file in Congress will seek the conversion of Mactan island into a province.

Mayor Paz Radaza said the number of local government units will swell when the district becomes a province, which means there will be separate internal revenue allotments for the province, component city, and two municipalities.

While the city has an annual budget of P1.5 billion only P600 million goes to programs and projects, with the 45 percent going to salaries and operating expenses, she said.

The mayor said that with the conversion, its income will increase by 50 percent or more, giving LGUs the flexibility to deliver basic services and implement infrastructure projects.

The future governor, three mayors, congressman can seek out funds from the national government for projects to implement.

Presently, the dispensation is done only by the mayor and the lone district representative.

A province will open doors to more people who wish to serve.

The island will have to choose a governor, vice governor, congressman, three mayors, three vice mayors, 24 councilors, and 8 board members.

The number of Radazas in Mactan can be counted on one’s fingers, namely, Mayor Radaza, Rep. Aileen, former representative Arturo Radaza, and the only other politician in the clan is newly re-elected councilor Harry Radaza.

Giving Olango Island the autonomy to chart its own course as a municipality is a big risk for the Radazas because the island is considered a bailiwick.

The city has been growing exponentially for the last ten years.

To be at pace with progress and development, the island needs to spend over P3 billion for road widening alone. 

If the LGU will spend all its money on road widening alone, it will take six years to widen all roads. 

But, realistically, it cannot just spend all its funds on road widening alone.

The mayor said Mactan is doing well economically and she is confident the island will generate more jobs in the next five to ten years.

She said that with the entry of the Mactan Newtown, the P200 billion investment of Megaworld, and the 400-hectare $500-million reclamation project, which is at no cost to the city, the island can then generate jobs for 80,000 people taking into account that Ayala is also developing its own 12-hectare mega-project as well as the expansion of the airport.

At present, the city ranks second to Metro Manila in terms of foreign tourist arrivals.  (FREEMAN)