Federalism among possible issues
TACLOBAN CITY- All the governors and mayors of the region have already confirmed their attendance for a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte scheduled next week in Cebu City.
This was disclosed by the regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government(DILG) who added that two Samar mayors, however, have begged off due to conflict of schedules.
The President is scheduled to meet all the governors and mayors from Visayas and Mindanao on Feb.12 in Cebu City.
Maribel Sacendoncillo, DILG-8 regional director, said that while the date of the meeting was specified on their letter among governors and mayors, the issue or issues to be discussed was not mentioned.
“But for sure, various issues such as anti-drug campaign and federalism could be discussed during the meeting,” she said, adding that the travels of the officials are considered as ‘official travel.’
Sacendoncillo said that all the six governors, seven city mayors, and 134 municipal mayors have already signified their attendance at the meeting.
“But two municipal mayors in Samar have informed us that they could not attend the meeting with the President due to conflict of schedules,” she said.
According to her, originally the Cebu City meeting among Visayas and Mindanao officials was scheduled on Feb.1 but was eventually moved to Feb.12.
Meantime, Borongan City Mayor Ma. Fe Abunda said that she is looking forward to the meeting and expect the issue on federalism would be discussed by the President.
“Honestly, I don’t have any idea about federalism. I need to be enlightened more about it. That is why, whenever I am asked about it, I could not give a categorical answer because I don’t really have a full grasp about federalism,” Abunda said.
By: Joey Gabieta
