Angara vows to uphold "One Cebu" movement

CEBU - Reelectionist senator Edgardo J. Angara today vowed to support key initiatives that will uphold the preservation of Cebu as one strong province.

In a press conference, Angara said he is willing to sign a covenant preserving the oneness of Cebu. He stressed One Cebu's significance as a strong geographic, economic, and political influence and force.

"We have seen the evidence of Cebu's strong political clout in the 2004 presidential elections. Cebu probably has the biggest voting population among the country's provinces. If you divide it up, it will lose its clout, its leverage and its influence from the national government," Angara said.

With more than 2 million registered voters, Cebu is believed to have played an important role in the 2004 elections, reelecting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo via a difference of 1 million votes against closest rival late actor Fernando Poe, Jr.

Angara said One Cebu will have a greater chance of being heard and involved in national affairs compared to a Cebu broken down into smaller individual units.

"I think, as far as the local government is concerned, the more you consolidate territory, the more you consolidate political authority. By keeping Cebu intact, both as a political force and territorial stronghold, the province will maintain its influence on national affairs and one strong voice of the Cebuanos will be heard by the national government," Angara said.

Furthermore, Angara warned that breaking Cebu into smaller units may hamper its growth and development.

"We should also consider that Cebu is thriving right now. Breaking it in smaller provinces may slow down its current progress. Development will be harder to bring to small province than to big province," Angara said.