Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday she believes dividing Palawan into three separate provinces is advantageous for Palaweños, but they should really be the ones to decide on this.
Robredo said the law “makes a lot of sense” because the provincial government is having difficulty reaching all points of the province because of its geography.
“Kapag tiningnan natin iyong mapa ng Palawan, sobrang lawak niya talaga na from point-to-point, mahirap talaga siyang abutin. So nakikita natin iyong wisdom ng paghati dahil ang mahihirap na mga lugar iyong nasa magkabilang dulo, eh—iyong nasa pinaka-north at saka iyong nasa pinaka-south,” the vice president said.
The new law signed earlier this month divides Palawan into Palawan del Norte, Palawan del Sur, and Palawan Oriental, but needs to be ratified through a plebiscite.
“Iyong advantage kasi nung [bagong batas] mas lalong matututukan [ang mga lugar]. Kasi kapag masyadong malaki iyong area, parang [you are] spreading yourself too thinly,” Robredo said.
The advantages of the division, she said, is that the government will be more focused and concentrated on areas.
Most areas in the Philippines are far-flung where many people are poor, she pointed out.
However, she said the final decision rests with Palawan residents through the plebiscite that will be done in May 2020.
“Ultimately, iyong tao kasi iyong dapat tanungin kasi iyon naman iyong pagkakataon ng mga taong ihayag kung ano iyong saloobin nila patungkol doon sa paghahati,” Robredo added.
