Private sector supports MCDMB

CEBU, Philippines - The envisioned Metro Cebu Development and Management Board (MCDMB) is now getting the support from the private sector and experts who are willing to help address the challenges common to local government units.

Robert Aboitiz of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) brought representatives of IBM Philippines in a meeting with Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday to share what they have done in other countries in managing megacities.

IBM has the expertise to come up with “integrated technologically assisted solutions” of the existing challenges in Metro Cebu.

They indicated their willingness to help and volunteered to contribute to MCDMB their expertise such as what they established in Rio de Janiero in Brazil, Singapore, New York and others.

“These are solutions that span the whole gamut of challenges that are common to all huge cities, or an integration of local government units such as traffic, flood control, drainage, etc,” Garcia told reporters.

Garcia welcomes the offer to help and in return she invited them to become a member of the MCDMB. They accepted.

“There is really much that can be done but the most important thing here and the most challenging first step is to get all the local government units on board, to get all of the LGUs to cooperate and commit to work together,” Garcia said.

On March 16, mayors in the defined Metro Cebu, including Cebu City, will sign a memorandum of agreement signifying their commitment to work together in addressing important issues.

Garcia said the agreement “would seal the commitment of each LGU to work together to cooperate and institute an integrated, comprehensive, holistic approach to the challenges that are common to these LGUs.”

The membership of MCDMB will not only be limited to LGUs and relevant government agencies but also the private sector.

RAFI is the first to confirm willingness to help and be a member of the Board. (FREEMAN)