BORONGAN, Eastern Samar - Gov. Ben P. Evardone and the provincial government of Eastern Samar is giving their full support to the move to convert this capital town into a component city.
In a statement of support released to the media, Evardone said he supports the conversion of the capital town of Borongan to a component city. The provincial government believes that the cityhood will accelerate the development of Borongan in particular and Eastern Samar in general as financial resources that will be used for the effective and efficient delivery of basic services will increase tremendously. A city is also a more attractive place for private and public investments thus resulting in more income and employment opportunities for the people.
He urged the residents to go out and vote a resounding Yes on June 20, 2007.
Evardone made the appeal as the municipality of Borongan led by Mayor Fidel V. Anacta Jr. is into the last day of their campaign for the residents to vote Yes for Borongan cityhood. The Comelec has set June 20, 2007 as the Plebiscite Day for the people of Borongan whether they want Borongan to become a city or not.
In an interview with SB Member Jesse Solidon, he told LSDE that they are optimistic that the residents of Borongan will resoundingly vote Yes, but he admitted that there are very insignificant number of people who are against the conversion of Borongan into a city, saying that it is not ready yet because it still lacks the necessary structures for a city.
Last June 16, 2007, Baybay in Leyte and Catbalogan in Samar had their respective plebescite where their residents unanimously approved their municipalities becoming component cities. In Catbalogan, a total of 23,358 voted Yes while 1,339 voted No, according to Nimfa Quirante of the PIA-Samar.
Meanwhile, the Borongan PNP has already readied its security plans for the June 20, 2007 plebiscite. According to Chief of Police Alladin Dingal, an augmentation force from the two PNPMGs in the province will assist his 30-man police force on June 20.
