Bik-Lish

The Probability of Division

With the hype and media mileage created by the Ad Congress, the probability of dividing Camarines Sur became low. The positive image painted by the media worked against “bukag” that people started asking: Maray man palan an naginibuhan ni Governor L-Ray Villafuerte , nata ta bubuwagon pa?

CWC: A tourist magnet for CamSur (photo credit: cwcwake.com)

But of course, there is a question on sustainability. Madidipisilan si L-Ray na mantiniron an magayon na imahe dahil sa tulong bagay: ang poverty situation sa nagkakapirang parte kan probinsiya, an gastos sa media warfare laban sa bukag, asin an timing kan mga giyerang legal ninda L-Ray asin Noli Fuentebella.

L-Ray had been flaunting his accomplishments such as making Camarines Sur as one of the much improved provinces in the country. From ranking 39^th, the province is now the 10^th richest province.  It is also now the top tourist destination in the Philippines, and the first in the region in terms of revenue collection and economic growth. But while there are documents to support these, the economic benefits did not trickle down to the barangays. If the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) is to be believed that nothing much has changed in the region’s poverty situation, then the 2006 figures showing the province as the locus of the municipalities where more than 60% of the population are poor still holds true. These municipalities include: Garchitorena (68.46%), Balatan (63.26%), Pasacao (62.56%), Cabusao (61.23%) and Presentacion (60.57%). If the poor will use their empty pockets and stomachs as information shortcuts, then the plebiscite may decide against L-Ray and the “No to Division” supporters. This explains why the “Bukag” camp is highlighting the disconnect between L-Ray’s words and the poverty situation.

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