The Provincial Government vehemently denied the allegation of Ms. Cynthia Sumagaysay of One Palawan Movement that the local government has already started the campaign for the division of Palawan.
Provincial Information Officer (PIO) Winston Arzaga through a phone interview explained that what they are now doing is information and education campaign (IEC), specifically for the programs and projects of the Provincial Government of Palawan (PGP) and activities, including the move to split Palawan into three provinces.
“Usually, hindi na kami nagre-respond sa mga sinasabi ni Cynthia kasi hindi namin ano ‘yun dapat binibigyan na ng pansin but sa kaalaman niya, usually, IEC po ‘yun ang ginagawa ng Provincial Government dahil kailangan pong ma-inform ang mga tao, mabigyan [sila] ng tamang impormasyon,” according to Arzaga.
He reiterated that they are just doing their job and informing the public is part of their responsibilities.
“Ang sabi ng batas, dapat mag-conduct ng IEC ang Provincial Government. Ginagawa lang po namin ang sinasabi ng batas na ipaalam [ang mga iyon] sa tao….”
“Kung walang [gagawing] IEC [ang Pamahalaang Panlalawigan], sino ang gagawa nu’n?” he asked.
Arzaga likewise explained that IEC and campaigning are two different things.
“Pag IEC, usually, binabanggit mo ang good side…ang disadvantages at… ‘yung komento ng kabilang grupo. Kami kasi ‘pag nag-a-IEC kami, sinasabi namin ‘Ito ‘yung advantages,’ tapos sasabihin [rin] namin na ‘Ito ‘yung komento ng One Palawan,” he said. “Sa [darating na] plebisito, ‘yun ang [may] campaign period. Kapag campaign period ‘yan, wala nang explain-explain…marami ng exemptions,” he said.
PIO Arzaga also said that the Provincial Government clarifies the issue on wealth sharing during their information and education drives.
“Sa wealth sharing, under sa ‘Three in One Palawan,’ ang lahat ng barangay may parte. Sa One Palawan, ang gusto nilang bigyan ng parte ay ang mga barangay lang na may yaman,” he said.
While on the clamor of One Palawan to consult every Palaweño before doing any move to cut Palawan into different provinces, the official explained that, that would be done on the Plebiscite Day on May 11 this year.
And in giving grocery and rice to the participants to any activities and “Gobyerno sa Barangay” among others, he explained that those are part of the delivery of social and basic services to the people and not because in the upcoming plebiscite.
“Ang grocery o bigas…may election man o wala, pinaglalaanan ‘yan ng pondo; part ‘yan ng delivery of social services ng Provincial Government sa mga indigents, sa mga senior citizen.
The official said that if the 3N1 Palawan team goes from town to town, all the government services are also expected to be delivered to the beneficiaries like goods, cash, and allowances.
“Sinasabay [‘yun ang lahat ng mga binibigay na serbisyo] because it’s very expensive for the part] of the Provincial Government na pupunta ka sa barangay para mamimigay ka lang [at hiwalay pa ang IEC].
‘Pag doon ka na sa barangay, [dapat] dala mo na ang lahat ng programa,” he said.
“Hindi naman masama ‘yun [kasi], program ng gobyerno ‘yan. At ang sabi ko, diretso sa mga tao, hindi na sila pupunta sa Kapitolyo [sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa] for financial assistance [dahil] do’n pa lang sa mga munisipyo, maibibigay na,” he pointed out.
Currently, the PGP said that they are now in the second round in the conduct of information and education drives, except in the municipalities belonging to the proposed Palawan Oriental.
“Twenty-sixteen pa lang nag-IEC na kami, sa proposal pa lang, sa batas pa lang,” Arzaga said.
And when asked why there are government-issued vehicle being used by the PGP employees for the said programs that do not have plate numbers, Arzaga explained that it is for security purposes.
PIO Arzaga told the Palaweños that if they have any questions and clarifications, the Provincial Information office is very much willing to entertain them.
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