Proposed Mactan province: shades of Sugbo-ak?

THE first bill that congresswoman-elect Aileen Radaza will file when the new Congress opens is one that seeks to create a new province to be named Mactan.

It will comprise of a downsized Lapu-Lapu City and two towns to be created from existing barangays of the city: 11 barangays for Olango town, six barangays for Opon town, and the remaining 13 barangays for LapuLapu City.

Nothing is carved out from Cebu Province as Lapu- Lapu City is in a sense politically and administratively independent. But the proposal will make the city a component of the new province, no longer of Cebu.

Recall the much-hated Sugboak, which would’ve cut up Cebu into three provinces: Cebu Sur and Cebu West, with the rest of the territory to keep the name Cebu Province.

That would’ve butchered Cebu and created fiefdoms for other Cebu leaders who couldn’t capture the Capitol. Strong public opposition, whipped by a media that resented the machiavellian bent, killed the plan and helped boost Gwen Garcia’s political stock.

Deja vu

Radaza’s camp anticipates the Sugbo-ak “deja vu” by pointing out that Rep. Arturo Radaza and Mayor Paz Radaza have “a shallow bench”: the clan only has Aileen, lone daughter, and Harry, a nephew. Three or four in public office don’t make a dynasty?

The new Capitol leaders may not be rabid anti- Sugbo-aks but they’ll consider what the province loses if Mactan is created: in territory, income, prestige, and political base.

Will it get the support of leaders who’re still affiliated with One Cebu Party? Will it win the plebiscite?