E-Gwen ordinance filed in Provincial Board

A program that rewards the best performing towns and cities in Cebu, as well as memorializes the governor’s name will be made permanent with the passage of a provincial ordinance.

The ordinance institutionalizing the e-Gwen program, (Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures)  was filed in the Provincial Board last Monday.

PB Member Thadeo Ouano sponsored the measure, which was referred for review to his committee on environment.

He said the ordinance aims to adopt the e-Gwen program “which is geared towards rebuilding each town in the Province of Cebu” in seven areas of sustainable development to make “vibrant, progressive and self-reliant communities” with environment as its main point of entry.

This is part of the effort “to create a model Cebu for both the present and the generations to come.”

An  e-Gwen Program council will be formed headed by the governor with an executive director and a secretary appointed by the governor.

Members of the council will include various Capitol departments, PB members,   and its main private partner, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

The presidents of the League of Municipalities and of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) and two representatives from the non-government organizations “that are champions of environment protection and preservation” are included.

Every year, the Capitol gives out e-Gwen awards for the  “Green Champion”, “Model Town” and “Good Neighbor” in a province-wide contest of local governments down to the barangays.

The awards will be lodged under the annual Garbo sa Sugbo awards of the Province during Cebu’s founding anniversary celebration.

E-Gwen was established in 2008 with RAFI with the vision to make Cebu “an ideal place to live, work, play, invest and do business.”

At first, the program tapped barangay councils by recognizing champion barangays which were able to solve community problems.

A scorecard system included criteria for cleanliness, sanitation and health; greening, creativity, artistry and aesthetic impact;  nurturing culture and heritage; and governance systems and structures. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent