Greg assumes as acting governor

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time, Cebu Vice-Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. yesterday called on all Capitol department heads to brief him on the status of all provincial activities as he assumed as acting governor.

Sanchez automatically assumed office as acting governor in the absence of a formal delegation of function from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who left for Ukraine to speak before the Black Sea Forum in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

“I tried (to see) if I have the respect from the department heads,” Sanchez said in calling the meeting.

Capitol spokesperson Rory Jon Sepulveda said there was nothing wrong with Sanchez’s calling the department heads to a meeting.

“If magpatawag siya, I don’t see anything wrong. He is the acting governor, if he thinks nga kinahanglan tig-discuss sa mga department heads on issues affecting the province, well and good,” Sepulveda told reporters.

One of the issues discussed was the proposed development of the Balili property in Tinaan, Naga which was purchased by the Provincial Government in the amount of P99 million. This became the subject of investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman when it was found that a big portion of the property is underwater.

Pond A of the property, which is nine hectares, is the dumping site of coal ash from Kepco-SPC at $1 per metric ton starting January next year.

During the meeting, Sanchez shared that $1 is too small and suggested to increase it to at least $8 per metric ton, enough to cover the construction of a barrier that would prevent the coal ash from seeping into the sea. This “lining” is estimated to cost P20 million, plus maintenance cost of around P10 million per year.

“I advised them, tell the governor, don’t quarrel (with) the environmentalists, be friendly to them and let us explain to them,” Sanchez said after the meeting.

Sanchez thanked department heads for the cooperation they have extended to him as acting governor and for being open to his ideas.

He said that if only they can work together, there will be no problem and the Cebuanos will benefit.

In fact, the song “Heal Our Land” was played when the meeting opened at the conference room of the Vice Governor’s Office.

Of the 17 department heads, nine were present during the meeting but Sanchez understood that others have already had commitments outside the city when he “abruptly” called the meeting yesterday.

Sanchez said that department heads committed to him that his inputs will be presented to the governor when she returns next week.

Department of Interior and Local Government 7 regional director Pedro Noval, Jr. earlier said Sanchez could be held liable for dereliction of duty when he failed to assume as acting governor when Garcia left for the United States last week. (FREEMAN)