Government officials, private sector gather for 3rd Partners Conference

CEBU, Philippines - At least 1,500 government officials and development partners joined yesterday’s 3rd Partners Conference of the expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) Our Cebu program at the Cebu International Convention Center.

The conference, organized by the provincial government and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., was participated in by mayors, vice mayors, barangay captains, and eGwen coordinators from different cities and towns in Cebu and various regional line agencies.

This year’s conference theme, “Strengthening Public-Private Partnership in Governance” highlighted how local government units were able to tap and attract the participation of private partners in micro, small and medium enterprises, environment, culture and heritage and urban governance, among others.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, program manager of eGwen Our Cebu Program, said the theme was inspired by the successful partnership exhibited by both provincial government and RAFI.

Magpale said that in its third year of implementation, the program has attracted more private partners such as the Cebu and Mandaue Chambers of Commerce and Industry that also envision of making Cebu an ideal place to live, work, play, invest and do business.

Magpale said she is optimistic that with the two chambers, local entrepreneurs from different cities and municipalities of Cebu, will be trained and prepared to meet the economic   requirements of  the eco-tourism industry in Cebu .

Valentino Bagatsing, the keynote speaking in the conference, discussed how to strengthen public-private partnership in governance. Bagatsing is the Senior Country Officer of the International Finance Corporation and a member of the World Bank Group.

Mayors Nicepuro Apura of Carcar City and Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante of Dalaguete town discussed strengthening public-private partnership in urban governance and public-private partnership in culture and heritage. Meanwhile, Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes discussed public-private partnership in urban governance while Rosalinda Serion and Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano who represented San Francisco discussed public-private partnership in environment. Mayor Erwin Yu of Tudela and Mayor Edesel Galeos of Argao town talked about strengthening public-private partnership in micro, small and medium enterprises.

The partner conference confirmed that strong public-private partnership help in the development of projects at the local level across various sectors.

Exemplary cities and municipalities also received recognition during the conference’s closing ceremony.

The eGwen Our Cebu program aims to capacitate each town and city in the province to become empowered drivers of their respective economies by creating wealth and enhancing social development.

The program provides each town in Cebu a comprehensive rebuilding framework directed to make Cebu an attractive place to live, work, play, invest and do business in. The ultimate objective of the initiative is to make Cebu a model province.   - (THE FREEMAN)