Junjun spells out dev’t plan for Cebu

In his first inaugural address before the Provincial Board (PB), Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide called on legislators to help him fulfill his promise of an “ambitious, yet simple vision” for Cebu.

“I want every Cebuano to enjoy equal opportunity to achieve his or her aspirations for a better life,” he told the PB at a packed session hall at the Capitol Legislative Building at 2 p.m yesterday.

The 46-year-old Davide asked the PB to craft laws addressing his administration’s priority concerns like health, peace and order, agriculture and food security, infrastructure and environmental protection.

Davide asked the PB to also develop a master plan based on the proposed Mega Cebu 2050 framework developed by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

The Mega Cebu framework seeks to achieve sustainable growth among the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Carcar, Naga, Danao and Talisay in Metro Cebu and the towns of Compostela, Minglanilla, Cordova, Liloan and San Fernando.

“Let us be guided by a humble sense of ethical leadership, a participatory and consultative style, a spirit of cooperative volunteerism and a transparent and accountable public service,” Davide said.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who presided over the session, said the new PB will be independent from the executive department.

Stability

She also called on colleagues to set aside the animosity of the recently concluded elections.

She said the PB still has a lot of legislative work left to do to address the growing needs of Cebuanos.

These include enacting legal codes on the welfare of women, children and the environment, Magpale said.

Davide asked the PB to provide funding for expansion of health services especially for “district hospitals with inherent defects.”

He cited the Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital in his hometown in Argao town that has only two permanent doctors and three permanent nurses.

“There is no skills improvement program, and there can be no program without permanence and stability of tenure,” Davide said. He also called for the creation of a Provincial Youth Council.

Davide promised to work with the national government for more classrooms, teachers and facilities for the province’s schoolchildren.

Development

The governor also urged the PB to enact an Investment Code to lure foreign and domestic investors and provide funds for the Farmer-Scientist Training program pioneered by his uncle Dr. Romulo Davide.

Davide said he also intends to convene a multi-sectoral partnership between government agencies, economic planners, the business community, non-government organizations and his constituents to map Cebu’s development goals.

He said this development plan will ensure the balance between the needs of Metro Cebu and towns in the countryside.

Davide said he will pursue the Trans-Axial Highway project of the late vice governor Gregorio Sanchez that will connect both ends of the province and help spur development in small towns as well as decongest Cebu’s urban core.

“We will make Cebu a more pleasant place to work, play and live,” he told the board.

Davide later received updates from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office on the flood situation in Daanbantayan town.

Neil Sanchez, provincial disaster management chief, said six families were displaced by the flood caused by tropical storm “Gorio” in Daanbantayan town, northern Cebu.

All six families were temporarily staying at the barangay hall. Damages were pegged at P60,000.

“The Daanbantayan municipal government will handle the situation in the first two days. We will send help if needed after,” Sanchez said. /Peter L. Romanillos, Correspondent