Davide urged to help convert 4th district into econ zone

Despite being on opposite sides of the political fence, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon wasn’t hesitant to ask Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III’s help to convert his district into an economic zone.

In yesterday’s 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Hotel, Salimbangon’s list of priority projects include a roll-on, roll-off port in Tabogon town which would reduce travel time to and from Cebu City to an hour. It will also cover the Port of Maya to Bantayan Island.

He asked Governor Davide to complete road access to the airport in Sta Fe town in Bantayan, to make it operational and encourage tourists to visit north Cebu.

Salimbangon also asked the governor’s help for a road concreting project leading to the Port of Maya in Daanbantayan town.

“If we really want tourism to boom in any area, airports and roro ports are needed…Davide promised to look into this,” he said.

Salimbangon is identified with the One Cebu party of the Garcias while Davide is the provincial chairman of the Liberal Party-Cebu chapter.

Salimbangon’s appeal to Davide coincided with a Provincial Planning Forum held at the Capitol Social Hall.

During the forum, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras urged Cebuano mayors and vice mayors to synchronize their programs and projects with the national government for “better results.

Speaking in Cebuano, Almendras said governance will be more effective if LGUs and the national government fully cooperate with each other.

Almendras, younger brother of Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, discussed the priorities and projects of the Aquino administration.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the forum is a good way to start his administration together with the mayors and vice-mayors who started serving their three-year terms on July 1. Correspondents Peter L. Romanillos and Joy Cherry S. Quito