CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes is putting it on record that he is in favor of the creation of the Metro Cebu Development Coordination Board, although he was not around Friday when Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and 11 mayors signed a "memorandum of agreement," a document which signifies their intention to create such a body.
Cortes said he was on leave that day.
But unlike Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama who signed the MOA without the city council's approval, Cortes said he would seek the council's consent first before attaching his signature to the document.
Cortes said that he has to follow what is stipulated under the law, which states that the Mayor cannot sign any agreements or contract without the council's approval.
Aside from that, Cortes said he will only sign the MOA if his concerns will also be addressed.
Cortes said he wants continuity and consistency in whatever projects or programs the board plans to implement.
And because of this, he will push for its legislation, just like the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
"It needs an act of Congress para matarong dyud ang existence sa maong board kay akong gusto nga sustainable and consistent atong mga programa, kay kaming mga politiko duna ra bay term limit, unya wa kabalo nga ang mopuli unya ug molingkod kon mao ba gihapon ilang priorities," Cortes said.
Cortes said that when the Metro Cebu Development Project (MCDP) was created in the 80s during the reign of then mayor now Representative Tomas Osmeña, Mandaue during that time became the recipient of most of the projects of the board.
However, the MCDP was dissolved since all projects were absorbed by the DPWH.
Then a few years after the Metro Cebu Development Council (MCDC) was created, it became dormant for so long.
He said MCDP, MCDC, and now this MCDCB that is being resurrected shares a common intention, which is to coordinate actions with LGUs as well as with national agencies in Metro Cebu to address common concerns.
He said he is not against Governor Garcia who initiated the MOA on the creation of the new board.
He said he will push for its legislation so that there will be continuity of projects.
"Mopirma ta apan di ko mo-bypass sa konseho. Let them discuss it first if makaayo ba," Cortes said.