Master development plan final item in agenda of outgoing PB

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board is set to discuss on Monday the master development plan endorsed by the Provincial Planning and Development Office, but details of which remain undisclosed.

Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, however, confirmed he has received a copy of the plan from PPDO during the board’s regular session last Monday. He said the master development plan will be the last item that the current board will discuss.

Some members of the board wanted to approve the plan immediately last week, but Sanchez asked to defer the approval so he can have adequate time to study the documents from PPDO.

He said there is a need to look further into the plan and verify it includes the proposed trans-axial highway.

Board Members Jose Ma. Gastardo and Agnes Magpale had supported Sanchez’ request.

Sanchez said earlier he will endorse the P5-billion “trans-axial highway” as one of the priority projects of newly-elected President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

In a press conference early this month, Sanchez said he was surprised about Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s “turn around” regarding the project, considering that she made pronouncements of support for the proposal in her state-of-the-province address for 2007 and 2008.

The trans-axial highway is seen to traverse Cebu’s mountains to connect Santander town in the south to Daanbantayan town in the north.

In his proposal, Sanchez envisions water pipes for a bulk water project tapping waterfalls, springs and rivers in Badian, Balamban, Argao. Carmen and Catmon. The pipe will distribute water to the distributors of the different towns, but from the main pipe smaller pipes will branch out. The smaller pipes, where liquid fertilizers will be infused, will connect to pumping stations to serve farm lands. He sees this as a way of helping the farmers and increasing Cebu’s agricultural production.

Another component of the proposal, Sanchez said, is the wind power system that will produce at least 300 MW. He said this will address the power shortage of Cebu.

PPDO officials are asking the board to fast track the approval of the master plan so that the documents can be forwarded to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). — THE FREEMAN