A federal system of government would allow local government units (LGUs), especially those from poor regions, to flourish using their strategic advantages, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Monday.
In a press briefing, Alvarez said that this is an opportunity for poor regions, such as Bicol and Leyte, to flourish under a federal setup because of their strategic advantages in natural resources, including geothermal power.
“That is one of the cheapest power na makukuha natin. Sa mga lugar nila, mahal yung power, yung electricity rates mahal. Tapos nagbo-brown-out pa sa kanila,” Alvarez explained.
“Bakit? Kasi lahat ng pino-produce nilang power dinadala dito sa National Capital Region to ensure na talagang walang brown-out dito at masa-satisfy yung mga requirement ng mga industries,” he added.
Alvarez, moreover, said that with the technical set-up, the said regions can offer cheap electricity rates.
“Kapag nangyari yun syempre yung mga industries na yan maglilipatan sa lugar nila,” Alvarez said.
The House speaker added that the situation will create job opportunities and will allow the regions to manage their own economy for them to chart their own destiny.
Alvarez also stressed that lawmakers against federalism are also guaranteed to get their share because the executive branch proposes infrastructure projects intended for their respective districts.
“Pinapaalala ko lang, hindi talaga laban ko ito o laban ng Pangulo. Laban ito ng mga local government units, kasi dito sa federal form of government sila yung makikinabang, hindi po kami,” Alvarez emphasized.
“May 2018 pa rin. Ang sinabi ko nga, may mga iko-comply tayong requirements. Ngayon kung kinapos tayo, iuurong natin ‘yan sa 2019. Pero sigurado tayong mangyayari within the term of the President,” he added. | (Tina Joyce Laceda – PTV)
