Provincial Board backs Mega Cebu roadmap

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu Provincial Board has endorsed and supported the Mega Cebu roadmap study for sustainable urban development for Metro Cebu and its identified flagship programs.

The approval was made through a resolution passed on mass motion by the legislative body during its regular session on Monday.

With the approval, the board said the province agreed to align its plans, policies, programs and projects to the roadmap’s recommendation and outputs covering short term, medium term, and long term framework.

Board Member Christopher Baricuatro who sponsored the resolution said the roadmap study is set to be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority-7 for its approval following the body’s endorsement.

He added that though the PB’s endorsement was not a prerequisite before the roadmap could be forwarded to NEDA-7, it would still be needed for future purposes such as funding for the identified anchor and flagship programs and projects.

“Mas maayo ni nga naa nay endorsement from PB karon pa lang daan,” he said.

The approval lingered in the PB for more than a month because some of the board members were apprehensive that local governments outside Metro Cebu would be left out in terms of development, considering that the study only covers 13 LGUs- cities of Carcar, Naga, Talisay, Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Danao and municipalities of San Fernando, Minglanilla, Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, and Compostela.

Meetings were held to shed light on the body regarding the content of the roadmap study.

Dominica Chua, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. chief operating officer, debunked the apprehension, explaining that the flagship programs include the update of the integrated development master plan of the province which lays out development projects for entire province.

The roadmap study for Metro Cebu was initiated in 2013 by Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency and Yokohama City, Japan to realize the Mega Cebu Vision 2050, a blueprint strategy to boost and sustain economic growth and development.

MCDCB is chaired by Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and co-chaired by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and RAFI President Roberto Aboitiz.

Flagship projects and programs in the roadmap include construction of Mananga II Dam, Mactan North Dual-Mode Bridge, construction and networking of septage plants, feasibility study on area traffic control in Metro Cebu, master plan for a comprehensive Solid Waste Management for Metro Cebu, among others.

The Mega Cebu program, which was started in 2011 during the term of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, envisions a wholesome, advanced, vibrant, equitable, sustainable (WAVES) Cebu in 2050. —/JMO (FREEMAN)