‘I’m the gov of all Cebuanos’
I’m not the governor of LP or One Cebu but the governor of all the Cebuanos.”
An elated Gov. Hilario Davide III made this statement as mayors and vice mayors affiliated with the Garcia-backed One Cebu party called on him at the provincial capitol yesterday afternoon.
For an hour, the governor listened to officials who belong to the Liberal Party’s local rivals.
“We are all one in helping the people so let’s help each other,” he told the mayors at the Capitol conference room.
“I greatly appreciate your coming over. For sure, we will meet each other more in the future,” Davide added.
In a roundtable discussion that followed, the governor listened to the mayors’ concerns that ranged from health, agriculture and infrastructure.
Among the officials who called on Davide were: Lito Creus of Malabuyog, Ronald Guaren of Oslob, Dean Michael Singco of Ginatilan, Nonie Blanco of Ronda, Inocentes Cabaron of Moalboal, Val Chiong of Naga, Robburt Librando of Badian, Nic Delos Santos of Alcoy, Edsel Gallos of Argao, Ronald Cesante of Dalaguete and Aloguinsan Vice-Mayor Chonse Moreno.
Mayor Erwin Yu, Vice Mayor Greman Solante and the councilors of Tudela town also visited Davide in his temporary office at the Capitol’s dignitary room.
Balili development
Naga City Mayor Val Chiong told Davide of his plans to develop the controversial Balili property purchased for P98.9 milion by the province under the administration of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. He said a number of investors have been asking about the property, which is the subject of a Sandiganbayan case.
Chiong pointed out Naga’s land classification problem where he said 68 percent of the land in the poblacion is still declared “timberland.”
“I don’t know what happened to the legislation in Congress. A lot of potential investors come and ask for lots,” he said.
Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Cesante said he hopes far-flung towns such as Dalaguete will not be “forgotten” by the Capitol.
“We are far from the city. That is always the tendency, we tend to be forgotten,” said Cesante.
Davide assured their respective towns of equal opportunities when it comes to projects from the provincial government. /Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos