Nothing controversial about Metro Board

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol yesterday clarified there is really no controversy on the issue of the signing of the commitment of local government units, line government agencies and private sectors participating in the Metro Cebu Development Coordination Board.

“There is really no controversy unless the sanggunian bayan concerned does not even want their mayor to participate, work with and cooperate with the said coordinating board,” Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda said following reports that Cebu City Council was bypassed when Mayor Michael Rama signed without their authority.

Sepulveda said that some mayors who have not secured the authority from their respective councils acted on their personal capacity as party in the memorandum of commitment.

Those who have secured authority from their respective councils are the Province of Cebu, the cities of Carcar and Naga and the municipalities of Liloan, Consolacion, Cordova, Minglanilla and San Fernando as represented by their respective local chief executives.

“Whereas, the chief executives of the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Danao and Mandaue, and the municipality of Compostela, fully concur and agree with the rationale for the creation of such a coordinating board and are willing to participate, work with, and cooperate with the said coordinating board,” the commitment states.

“Insofar as membership of the board is concerned, it is still up to them,” Sepulveda said.

Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo who witnessed the signing last Friday pointed out that the rationale behind the creation of the MCDCB is non-debatable.

Robredo encouraged the creation of the metropolitan body which is exactly the same as what he had created in Metro Naga in 1993 when he was mayor.

Sepulveda said when the commitment was signed, it was fully recognized that there are still mayors who have yet to secure authority from their councils.

But he said this should not be a stumbling block if there is no authority yet and it does not prevent them from manifesting their interest. (FREEMAN)