As proposed by Rep. Gomez
TACLOBAN CITY – The league of mayors in Leyte has firmly opposed House Bill (HB) 11077, a measure seeking to divide Leyte into two provinces.
During their last quarterly meeting on December 14, the League of the Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)–Leyte Chapter, led by its president, Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla, approved a manifesto rejecting the proposed legislation.
“We have come up with a manifesto strongly opposing this plan to divide Leyte. Those who attended the meeting signed it, and others who couldn’t attend also expressed their intent to sign,” Mayor Petilla said, adding that the mayors view the proposal as unnecessary.
“The reason for the division is totally uncalled for. We love Leyte, and Leyte is the most developed province in the region,” she added.
Three municipalities—Palompon, Burauen, and Isabel—had earlier passed resolutions opposing HB 11077. These resolutions were forwarded to the Leyte provincial board and subsequently transmitted to the House of Representatives.
Earlier, Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho ‘Icot’ Petilla also expressed his objection to the proposal, calling it as regressive.
“I don’t see any valid reason why Leyte should be split other than for political purposes. Splitting is not developmental; it’s actually regressive,” the governor had said.
He emphasized that larger provinces manage resources more effectively due to economies of scale.
Petilla also highlighted the provincial government’s ongoing infrastructure and health investments in the areas proposed to become Western Leyte, such as upgrades to the Ormoc District Hospital.
He pointed out that Ormoc City, an independent component city included in the proposed province, does not contribute to or directly benefit from the provincial government’s leadership. Past proposals to divide Leyte, including one backed by his relatives, failed due to lack of public support, Petilla noted.
“Even residents of these areas don’t want Leyte to be divided. Leyte’s strength lies in its unity,” the governor said, urging leaders to focus on improving governance and resource management for the entire province.
Details of House Bill 11077
Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez, author of HB 11077, aims to create a new province called Western Leyte. The division would be based on linguistic differences, with Cebuano-speaking areas comprising the proposed Western Leyte and Waray-speaking areas remaining as Leyte Province.
The proposed Western Leyte would include the municipalities of Albuera, Kananga, Matag-ob, Merida, Palompon, Isabel, and the independent component city of Ormoc—areas primarily within Gomez’s district.
Other municipalities include Calubian, Leyte, San Isidro, Tabango, Villaba, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Matalom, and the city of Baybay, covering 2,852.16 square kilometers and a population of over 958,400, according to the 2020 census.
Gomez argued that linguistic distinctions and improved access to services justify the split, claiming it would result in faster economic development and better governance.
“The creation of the province of Western Leyte is expected to further boost socio-economic growth on the western side of Leyte, as well as strengthen governance for all aspects of local government units,” Gomez stated in his explanatory note.
Leyte, the 13th largest province in the Philippines by land area, spans 6,313.33 square kilometers, with 40 municipalities and three cities, and a population of over 1.77 million. The province previously ceded territory to form Southern Leyte and Biliran, but Gov. Petilla asserted that further division is unnecessary.
HB 11077 is currently under deliberation by the House committee on local government.
ROEL T. AMAZONA
