I recently sponsored a Resolution inviting than towns of Bantay, San Vicente, Caoayan, Sta. Catalina, San Ildefonso and Santa to explore the possibilty of establishing the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council. The idea is to establish a coordinating body which will oversee the delivery of basic services and address issues common to all. Sharing of resources and sharing of responsibilities shall be one of the features of the metro council.
Article X, Section 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that, "Local government units may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services and resources for purposes commonly benificial to them, in accordance with law." This provides the legal basis in creating a Metro Vigan Coordinating Council. Aside from this, the local government units of Vigan, Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, San Ildefonso, San Vicente and Santa are adjacent to each other forming a contiguous area which could be classified as Metro Vigan.
The present demands of government administration in these local government units, particularly the delivery of basic essential services is too tasking especially if resources are limited. Hence, the sharing of resources among these local government units for purposes commonly beneficial to all is most wanting. The need to forge unity, cooperation and coordination among these local governments for the efficient delivery of basic services for its peoples is of utmost urgency.
The Vigan City Council has already approved a "Resolution Inviting the Towns of Bantay, Sta. Catalina, Caoayan, San Vicente, San Ildefonso and Santa, Ilocos Sur to Explore the Possibility of Creating the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council." I just hope and pray that the neigboring towns of Vigan will accept this invitation. LET'S GO METRO!
3 comments:
Vice,
The conception of Metro Vigan is not new to me. From where I am, I heard the plan years back. Vigan is on a fast track in its economic boom and could be faster if Metro Vigan is crystallized following the blueprint of your vision.
Personally, I do not oppose that plan but who and how will it be decided if the towns adjacent to the city are willing to join the Metro? Do the respective municipal councils of each town headed by the mayor have to vote via viva voce or the citizens of each town have to go to the polls to know the prevailing pulse of each municipality concerned? For me, I prefer the second for it is more democratic.
Vice, why not Villa Fernandina instead of Metro Vigan? The adjacent towns were once barrios of Ciudad Fernandina!
Thanks
Emy Riguera
Dear Emy,
Thanks for the comment. Starting monday next week (May 12), members of the city council will visit the different sanggunian bayan concerned for a presentation of the Metro concept. I will take note of your proposal and consider it as an input in our discussions.
The concept of area-wide planning and in coordination of area-wide services such as transport, water and sanitation, and solid waste disposal is nothing new. The problem may arise when an un-elected *Metro Vigan Administrator* will implement rules and regulations to uncooperative local mayors’ jurisdiction. Ilocos politics is ruled by local strongmen or petty warlords. At national level, bogus President Gloria Arroyo has usurped power through the barrel of a gun and deceits. You may need an El Chavit clone to run Metro Vigan.
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