MALAYBALAY CITY - In unprecedented move, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Bukidnon presided by Vice Governor Nemesio G. Beltran unanimously approved the motion of Board Member Conrado Micayabas (3rd District) to defer action on House Bill 673 authored by Congressman Juan Miguel F. Zubiri (3rd District) until the end of their term - that is until year 2001.
Beltran said it was a crucial and a passionate issue affecting the people of Bukidnon.
The SP rendered a decisive action after Micayabas withdrew his motion on secret balloting giving way to the motion of Board Member Leandro Catarata (2nd District) for a nominal voting.
Micayabas in explaining his motion said, after feeling the sentiment of the people in the north especially the elderly people and hearing their voice, his conscience told him that it is not yet the right time to divide Bukidnon.
He said that Bukidnon has to stay solid. He said if the division will be pushed through, there will be hearts that will be hurt and dreams that will be shattered between the people in the north and the people from the south.
Besides, Micayabas said, there are more pressing issues that have to be addressed such as the peace and order situation in the boundaries of Bukidnon, Cotabato and Davao. He said he had a talk with former Congressman Jose R. Zubiri, Jr., about the present situation and was able to convince him to his side.
The pressure groups who have been lobbing for the "No" votes were elated for the quick action of the SP to resolve the controversial issue.
Board Member and Majority Floor Leader Evelio Cordovez (1st District) thanked Board Member Micayabas and said that the issue of dividing Bukidnon will no longer be discussed again in the session hall until the year 2001.
Many said that the SP has made the best decision at that moment of time.
Earlier, District I Congressman Neric O. Acosta delivered a privileged speech in the House of Congress opposing the division of Bukidnon for various reasons, but he also said that there could be people consultation on the issue to get their side as an expression of democracy. (Source: Central Mindanao Newswatch, Vol. XI No. 534, 4th Week of February 1999, Written by Pete Maguale, pages 1 and 4.)