‘Immortalized’ eGwen hit

CEBU, Philippines - Some cause-oriented and non-government organizations have condemned the proposal of the Provincial Board immortalizing the environmental program of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

Representatives of the Philippine Earth Justice Center, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Youth Against Debt, Sanlakas Sugbo, Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance-Cebu, and Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralita ng Lungsod-Cebu sent a signed letter to PB Member Thadeo Ouano, expressing their opposition to the proposal saying that it is “illegal and a brazen insult to the citizenry”.

Ouano authored the proposed ordinance institutionalizing the Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGwen) Program of the Province of Cebu

“We not only oppose, but we condemn in the strongest terms possible, the proposal to immortalize the name of the governor,” they said. 

They cited the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2010-101 banning the names or initials and or images or pictures of government  officials in billboards and signages of government programs, projects and properties.

They said that the circular continues to be violated in Cebu such as the “E-Gwen Highway” signages.

The group is asking Ouano to reconsider his position on the proposed ordinance.  Ouano said explained that the eGwen is just an acronym.

Although he said that Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc., the private partner of the Province of Cebu for the said program, has a proposal to replace the eGwen into the “Our Cebu” program.

The letter Ouano said shall be presented to the PB committee on environment which is reviewing the proposed ordinance.  (FREEMAN)