Spirit of volunteerism urged to realize Mega Cebu plan

CEBU, Philippines - An advocate and active player of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) urged private stakeholders and business groups to take active participation in the spirit of volunteerism towards the vision on a Sustainable Mega Cebu Regional Plan.

During the 8th General Membership Meeting of the Bosconian International Chamber of Commerce – Cebu, Cebu Business Club President Gordon Alan Joseph encouraged businessmen, other chambers and members of BICC to join the committees of MCDCB.

Joseph, who is the chairman of the Integrated Development and Planning Committee of the MCDCB, said that the board is currently working out with the masterplan of the project.

Established in 2011, the MCDCB is an unprecedented public-private partnership spearheaded by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation (RAFI) and 14 local government units who have all shared a common concern and commitment to such project. 

The collaboration is also participated by huge private sector groups that include the Cebu Business Club, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IBM Philippines, Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Cebu Leads Foundation.

Envisioning an urban renewal as Metro Cebu shows signs of decay, the Mega Cebu involves a 30-year integrated plan to a “Megapolitan Cebu Area” which covers the cities of Danao, Carcar, Naga and Talisay and the municipalities of Cordova, Minglanilla, San Fernando, Compostela, Liloan and Consolacion.

For BICC, on the other hand, volunteers include Chamber President Ludwig Federigan as part of the Committee on Integrated Development and Edwin San Nicolas, former member of the Board of Trustees and president of the United Architects of the Philippines – Leon Kilat Chapter, as part of the Committee on Infrastructure. 

Federigan cited that there are also other members who showed interest to participate in the committees like Peter Allan Señeres.

“We felt that the initiative on Mega Cebu is very positive as it will transcend cities and municipalities. Definitely, we feel that the private sector should represent on the development and BICC is supportive to push for the Mega Cebu,” he stated.

He added that it is already high time that the development in Cebu should be focused not only in the cities but also in outlining municipalities.

Although the united force of the business players and public sector is commendable, he hoped that the new government officials who will be proclaimed in the 2013 elections would still have the same interest on Mega Cebu.

He noted that since most of the BICC members are engineers and architects in profession, the Bosconian businessmen can contribute specifically on the technical aspect of the masterplan.

Citing that the business sector represents a consistent voice that transcends from the political interest, Joseph expressed appreciation on the support of BICC and is looking forward to further coalition with the chamber.

“We are able to do something more than that. We need Cebu to work. The Mega Cebu vision is the way forward,” he said. (FREEMAN)