Sons and daughters of Tubigon town from across the globe have howled a massive cry of protest against the impending conversion of the town's old municipal hall into a commercial complex, citing lack of public consultation as a form of insult to the ancestors who built up the town from virtual nothingness. The outcry was palpable in social media sites, particularly on Facebook.com, where people have vented their fears and disappointments. “It is so disrespectful para sa tanang lumulopyo nga gidali dalig bulldoze na walay public announcement. It is also disrespectful sa heritage. Bantug ra kay naa nay mga ulterior motives,” said Katherine Shaw, who was reacting to the article published by the Bohol Sunday Post on March 16 through a Facebook post of lawyer Julius Gregory Delgado, president of the Tubigonians Association in Metro Manila. “The earthquake was sad and shocking but this act of vandalism is a lot worst,” added Shaw, who is one of the most opposed to the town officials' plan. She said that the “old municipio” was hastily demolished without the knowledge of the general public.

“There was lack of judgment and consideration. The new municipio plan has apparently been approved, again without the general public's knowledge,” Shaw said. Shaw said that even if there are officials who have agreed to the plan, it does not necessarily mean that their opinion represents the true sentiments of the general public. “Nasajop na nga nawalag dali dali ag municipio, ajaw itugot nga masajop napod sa pagtukod sa bag-o prior to public disclosure. This is extra ordinary time sa lungsod ug katawhan, think carefully and consider unsa maajo sa majority,” Shaw said. Shaw said there should have been proper a communication channel that would allow the government and the people to discuss the matter thoroughly. “In other places magbutang man jud public notice and a series of consultations,” Shaw said. “We are where we are but going forward, yes, dapat the right steps must be followed and respeto sa rights sa publiko. The town must be 'in it together',” Shaw said. Grace M.Campo, of Tubigon town, has pleaded online: “Please keep the municipal building at its present location…Let there be public referendum to make a decision as crucial as this.”

According to Atty. Delgado, a public consultation is necessary since the property involved belongs to the people of Tubigon, not owned by the officials of the town. "Mura man ug nauna man gamay ang desisyon kaysa konsultasyon," Delgado wrote on his Facebook time. “Not really sure if nag-conduct ug public hearing ang Municipal Development Council pero naa gyuy moingon ‘ang tingog sa Kapitan doesn't necessarily equate the pulse and decision of the majority of his constituents.” “I understand there is a Zoning Ordinance designating that a Commercial Zone, but the legal question there is that does the Zoning Ordinance divest the said lot, which used to be a Municipal Hall used by the town for a sovereign function, of its character of being for public use that it may be a subject of a contract and maybe disposed by the LGU as a patrimonial property?” asked Delgado. Another resident of Tubigon, Maria Yroll Lacaba Labella, said that any decision regarding the old municipal hall should not come from the officials alone “because it is a property owned by the people of Tubigon.” “It is a must to hear voices from all walks of life - to ask opinions and suggestions. It's not all about advancement we need in order to move forward but unity and solidity,” Labella said. (BY MIKE ORTEGA LIGALIG)