CEBU, Philippines - Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday personally witnessed the signing of the commitment of local government units, line government agencies and private sector participating in the Metro Cebu Development Coordination Board (MCDCB).
Signing the Memorandum of Commitment on behalf of the provincial government was Governor Gwendolyn Garcia while Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama led other mayors of the cities of Talisay, Danao, Carcar and Naga and the municipalities of Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Cordova, Minglanilla and San Fernando
Mayors Jonas Cortez of Mandaue City and Paz Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City were not able to sign due to other pressing commitments but Garcia said the invitation is still open for them.
Regional heads of the departments and offices of public works and highways; environment and natural resources; environmental management bureau; health; interior and local government; land transportation; economic and development; police; navy; coast guard and information agency are among the national agencies that signed the commitment.
From the private sector are Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.; Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cebu, Mandaue and Filipino-Chinese; Cebu Business Club; Cebu Leads Foundation, Inc. and IBM Philippines.
Robredo congratulated the private sector for joining the endeavor saying that local leadership come and go and the constituencies are permanent in the locality.
“The private sector is also a permanent fixture in the jurisdiction. Hopefully, the constituency and the private sector will move towards strengthening Metro Cebu even if the local leadership has changed already,” Robredo said in his speech.
In calling to work together in facing the challenges, Garcia pointed out, “this does not mean that the local autonomy of LGU would be compromised.”
Garcia was very encouraged by the huge turn out among the LGUs especially Cebu City and the strong support of other agencies and private sector.
Echoing Robredo’s statement, Garcia said, “I shall be counting upon them to continue this endeavor even after I shall have finished my third and last term as governor.”
Garcia stressed there will be challenges but the most important thing is that they have decided to meet these challenges head on and to move forward together with determination and focus.
The areas for cooperation covered in the memorandum of commitment are urban and land use planning and zoning; transport and traffic management; pollution control and solid waste disposal and management; flood control, drainage and sewerage system; public safety and security; road improvement and infrastructure development; urban renewal and shelter; coastal resources and watershed and management; health and sanitation and environmental management; and climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. (FREEMAN)