SIX executives from International Business Machines (IBM) are scheduled to arrive in Cebu on Oct. 3 to work on several key projects for the Metro Cebu Development and Coordination Board (MCDCB).
The IBM executives will work for three weeks to draft a framework for a Land Use and Transportation and Traffic Management plans for the board.
Andrea Escalona, corporate citizenship manager of the IBM Growth Market, said these executives will work with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (Rafi) in procuring specific data from each local government units and other supporting agencies.
From there, they will consolidate the data, work on a doable framework of projects and recommend these to the MCDCB. A follow-up meeting will be held on Sept. 27 with the 13 mayors.
The first MCDCB meeting in May resulted in its renaming and the election of two co-chairmen.
The board passed a motion to rename the board the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was elected as co-chairman representing government units and Bobby Aboitiz was elected co-chairman representing the private sector.
Regional Director Pedro Noval of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas (DILG-7) moved for the dissolution of the Metro Cebu Development Council (MCDC) which the board approved.
Last April, Capitol Consultant Rory Jon Sepulveda told Cebu Daily News that MCDCB’s authority will emanate from its members.
MCDCB was created last April 1 by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Metro Cebu mayors.
Only Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza didn’t join the board. Garcia is ex-officio chairman of the board.
The board approved the creation of two new committees—one for human resource development and another for information and technology.
There are now seven MCDCB committees including one each for environment, infrastructure and development, integrated development and urban planning design, peace and public safety and transport. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus