A vision for Metro Cebu Development Authority

There is a job for Ace Durano, aside from being Provincial Administrator. He should be the first chairman of what Governor Pam should be envisioning as a leader of a futuristic Cebu, the Metro Cebu Development Authority, or MCDA, to solve the common problems of traffic, garbage, flooding, crimes, and urban decay through a unified approach, cooperation, and synergy.

Through the Metro Cebu Development Authority, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi Chan, Cordova Town Mayor Cesar Suan and Talisay City Mayor Samsam Gullas, should support this as the new breed of enlightened leaders, not just politicians, but visionaries who are going to transform the dirty, dangerous, difficult and degrading daily grind of residing, working, and moving around this bustling metropolis.

If Manila has an existing MMDA or Metro Manila Development Authority, why can't the political leaders in our province to be hopefully led by Governor Pam, work together to bring this about. I hope that this idea will be supported by Representatives Edu Rama, Cutie del Mar, as well as Ahong Chan of Lapu-Lapu, Lollipop Ouano Dizon of Mandaue. The Lagon partylist and the TUCP of Raymond Mendoza will hopefully support the legislative measure to create the Metro Cebu Development Authority.

The support and cooperation of the seven representatives covering the seven districts of the province, namely Rhea Gullas of the first, Edsel Galeos of the second, Karen Garcia of the third, Sun Shimura of the fourth, Duke Frasco of the fifth, Daphne Lagon of the sixth, and Patricia Calderon of the seventh are also needed. The best scenario is when the bill to create the MCDA is co-authored by all the above-named members of Congress.

Our research indicates that the objectives of the MMDA are to formulate, coordinate, and regulate the implementation of medium and long-term plans and programs for metro-wide services, land use, and physical development in Metro Manila, ensuring consistency with national development goals and priorities, while also focusing on areas like traffic management, public safety, health, sanitation, and solid waste management.

The Metro Cebu Development Authority should be led by a city mayor elected for a term of three years, from among the LGUs under the umbrella of the MCDA, as chairman on a rotating basis. The MCDA shall be managed and administered by a career executive to be appointed by the president of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Cebu governor from among the nominees submitted by all the component city and municipal mayors.

The highest policy-making body of the authority shall be the MCDA Council composed of all the mayors of the component cities and municipalities. The council shall have the following functions: 1.) To approve metro-wide plans, programs, and projects; 2.) To issue rules, regulations, and resolutions concerning common problems and issues like traffic, garbage, flooding, crimes, urban development and other related matters within the scope of powers and responsibilities of the LGUs under the law; and 3.) To perform such other duties and responsibilities for the common interests of all component LGUs and their residents.

This is a great initiative which shall become the greatest legacy of all the current officials of the local government.