The new archbishop has spoken.
Celebrating his first Sinulog Mass, Archbishop Jose Palma called on the province and the city to set aside their conflict and unite for the good of all Cebuanos. He hopes there is peace in the hearts of our local officials so both camps would come to terms and reconcile.
Palma , who just assumed the role that Ricardo Cardinal Vidal vacated, is aware about the animosities between the Capitol and the City Hall, especially on the 93-1 issue.
“The city needs the province and the province needs the city. And because they need one another, then we need to reach out and reconcile with each other,” the new archbishop said.
He may have been new to Cebu’s political environment, but Palma rightly hit the right note in his message to Cebuanos. The province and the city should listen. They should put an end to their animosities and unite.
There’s no doubt that, as Archbishop Palma had said, the province and the city need each other. Our local leaders should admit that the province cannot attain true development without the city, and the city cannot stand alone without the help of the province.
There should be symbiotic relationship between the two camps, a relationship that extends beyond political boundaries. Cebu cannot attain prosperity if its leaders remain divided.
The only problem is that our officials have let their pride play an important role in their conflict. And it is the people who are caught in the crossfire. They really are the victims here.
Only by setting aside their personal pride and coming to terms can true development be attained.