RDC dissolves MCDC, new body now in place

CEBU, Philippines - The Central Visayas Regional Development Council has recognized the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board in lieu of the Metro Cebu Development Council which was finally dissolved during its second quarter full council meeting yesterday.

The RDC approved the resolution presented by MCDCB chairwoman, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, revoking the RDC Resolution No. 117 series of 1997 and to recognize the MCDCB as the coordinating body for the development of Metro Cebu.

The MCDC was created by RDC in 1997 primarily to coordinate the actions of local government units in Metro Cebu and national government agencies in dealing with common or metro-wide concerns.

It was initially composed of the Province of Cebu; the Cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Talisay and Naga; and the Municipalities of Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Cordova and Minglanilla.

From September 2002 to July 2005, the MCDC became inactive until it was revived in August 2005 when Garcia was designated as chairwoman.

Following this development, the MCDC expanded its composition to include the cities of Carcar and Danao; and the Municipality of San Fernando.

It was during this time that the membership composition of MCDC was also expanded further to include agencies of Department of Public Works and Highways, Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Environmental Management Bureau of DENR, Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police, Traffic Management Group, Land Transportation Office, Department of Health and Department of Interior and Local Government.

The MCDC had not been fully operational even though its members were aware that Metro Cebu was being confronted with problems on urban decay due to rapid urbanization.

During its meeting on February 9, 2011, the MCDC members proposed the establishment of a MCDMB that would bind LGUs, line agencies, private sector/civil society leaders and other sectors in Metro Cebu in commitment to work together and coordinate their efforts in facing common and metro area-wide challenges through a memorandum of agreement.

On April 1, 2011, ten chief executives of LGUs; 12 heads of line agencies and other government organizations and seven heads of civil society and private sector organizations signed the agreement to establish the MCDMB.

The conversion of the MCDC into the MCDMB would enable them to raise funds through creative and innovative ways. — (FREEMAN)