Election 2016: Agenda of the Cebu governor

THE INQUIRER is coming out today with the 11th in its series on pressing people’s concerns that should be high on the agenda of candidates for representative, governor or mayor in the May 9 elections. The series should help voters in the provinces choose their leaders wisely. In line with our “ThINQ. Vote.” advocacy, we have asked candidates in certain provinces, cities and congressional districts to outline their concrete plans of action in dealing with specific issues in their areas

Interviews by Victor Anthony Silva

Profile: Cebu province

KNOWN as the seat of Christianity in the Philippines, Cebu’s history goes back more than 400 years when the island became a province at the start of the Spanish colonization. Located 365 miles south of Manila, the province is part of Central Visayas and can be reached in an hour by air travel or 22 hours by sea.

Cebu consists of the main island and 167 surrounding islands and islets, including the islands of Malapascua, Camotes and Bantayan, which are famous tourist destinations. Aside from pristine white beaches and rugged mountain ranges, Cebu is also known for its lechon (roasted pig).

The province projects itself as the gateway to around two-thirds of the Philippine archipelago, being the primary destination of approximately 35 percent of the country’s foreign visitors. It hosts an international container port in Cebu City and is home to an international airport on Mactan Island as well.

Total population: 2,619,362 (as of 2010)

Voting population: 2,509,520 (as of 2013)

Land area: 4,944 square kilometers

Towns and cities: 3 independent cities, 6 component cities, 44 towns, 1,066 villages

Legislative districts: 7, excluding the 1st and 2nd districts of Cebu City, and the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City

Sources: Websites of the provincial government of Cebu and the Department of the Interior and Local Government

TRAFFIC

PRICE OF DEVELOPMENT. Cebu experienced rapid economic development in the 1990s and became a financial and commercial hub in the south. But development comes with a price: traffic congestion in Cebu City and Metro Cebu. How do the candidates for governor plan to solve this?

Hilario Davide III (Liberal Party)

Decongest urban centers by encouraging the private sector to set up businesses and invest in the countryside, which is being developed by providing infrastructure support like roads and services.

Engage all stakeholders in addressing the challenge.

Implement the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and complement it with a study on Light Rail Transit, as recommended by transport experts from the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Winston Garcia (One Cebu)

Establish an efficient Light Rail Transit system.

Build a 23-kilometer, eight-lane super highway from Talisay City to Carcar City to decongest the southern part of the province.

Develop a new economic zone at par with global standards, one with well-planned infrastructure, which will generate jobs for Cebuanos and the rest of the Visayas.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

ANOTHER ‘YOLANDA’? Northern Cebu was among the worst-hit areas in the Visayas when Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) struck in November 2013. What is your disaster-preparedness plan in case another typhoon hits the province and how will you ensure that relief goods reach the victims the soonest possible time?

Hilario Davide III (Liberal Party)

Continue to train people and build capacities of all local government units and communities.

All LGUs and villages should have their own contingency plans for various types of disasters and should be properly trained and equipped to respond to and undertake disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change initiatives.

Engage the private sector and international and national agencies in building resilient and better prepared communities and government structure.

Winston Garcia (One Cebu)

Establish a hotline for the entire province for people to get help in any emergency.

All government personnel must be ready to respond before calamity strikes and bring relief goods at the first hour.

Ensure that relief goods and donations reach beneficiaries and that authorities in charge of distribution are not blinded by political alliances.

Adopt the DRR plan of San Francisco town on Camotes Island.

ILLEGAL FISHING

MARINE PROTECTION. Illegal fishing, particularly the use of Danish seine, is rampant in northern Cebu and some towns in the south. How do you plan to strengthen government efforts against illegal fishing in the province, considering that it is the largest marine protected area and is part of the Visayas Sea, which is a major fishing spot in the Visayas?

Hilario Davide III (Liberal Party)

Continue to involve and engage our fishing and affected communities as vanguards of the seas.

Continue protecting the Visayas Sea, Tañon Strait and other fishing grounds from illegal fishing.

Strengthen the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force by providing them manpower and logistical support.

Intensify information and education campaign in building awareness and sustaining support of communities and other stakeholders on the need to promote environment-friendly policies and implement sustainable projects, like alternative livelihood.

Winston Garcia (One Cebu)

Strengthen the Bantay Dagat program and rules and regulations.

Continue teaching the local fishermen about the catch-and-release method. Reinforce their education to teach them that juvenile fish are worth more alive than dead.

Create more protected marine sanctuaries, particularly in the middle pass reef, protect them and allow time for the reef to regenerate in order to provide fish a safe haven to respawn and mature.

Enlist the support of organizations and foundations (local and foreign) that have expertise in these areas.