Agri, health top Capitol concerns

A better life for farmers and improved health services in Cebu province lead the list of concerns aired yesterday in a stakeholders summit at the Capitol.

The whole-day consultation was a campaign promise of Gov. Hilario Davide III, who earlier said he would convene the summit within his first 100 days of office to listen to concerns of Cebuanos.

He said the Capitol is taking steps to address several needs, such as the improvement of the Farmer Scientist Training Program (FTSP) and the health sector’s plea for improved services.

“Good governance and accountability” was the top concern raised in the in the Capitol’s first “Consultative Stakeholders Summit” at the social hall.

“I was taking notes during the presentation of sectoral concerns, to specific program proposals and the strategies laid out to achieve goals and I realized that the common aspiration is poverty alleviation,” said Davide in a speech closing the activity.

“Everybody wants a better life. We want adequate food, we want a healthy family, we want our children to attain an education higher than what we have; and we want our homes to be more comfortable,” he added.

Davide said he will expand coverage of Philhealth insurance for more sectors such as the elderly, women and children, and conduct an “inventory and study of the physical facilities, equipment and personnel of district hospitals to improve services.”

The provincial government will also put up seed banks for farmers in towns and cities. Scholarships for deserving students will continue.

“We also want to ensure that education and skills training respond to market demands; matching competence to the market ensures immediate employment,” he said.

The proposed Trans-axial Highway, he said, also remains one of his administrations top priorities.

Pre-summit meeting were held before sectoral representatives presented their concerns yesterday. The output will guide the provincial government in planning projects and setting budgets for 2014.

“A call for good governance is a clear need of the governed,” said Vice Gov. Agnes Mapgale.

“Our role now is to make sure whatever course of action the governor takes, we in the legislative department will pass legislative measures to support programs he will undertake based on this consultation.”