eGwen program to outlast governor’s term

CEBU, Philippines - The Expanded Green and Wholesome Environment that Nurtures (eGWEN) program is set to continue even beyond the term of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

The Cebu Provincial Board passed yesterday on first reading the proposed ordinance adopting the program sponsored by Board Members Thadeo Ouano and Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr.

Ouano belongs to the Liberal Party while Holganza is allied with Garcia of One Cebu Party.

Ouano said that it is vital for component cities and municipalities of Cebu Province to adopt the program and support the goal of transforming each town’s ecological environment and its immediate surroundings at the same time bring out or develop further the nurturing and caring traits Cebuanos are known for.

The eGWEN Program is geared to rebuild each town in the province by putting into play the seven dimensions of sustainable development.

It aims to achieve a vibrant, progressive and self-reliant community to include creating a conducive and supportive environment that promotes the total development of all the constituents in the Province of Cebu.

Ouano also proposed the creation of eGwen Program council which will take the active lead of motivating shared responsibilities as well as initiate moves to mobilize, expand and integrate partnerships among stakeholders for collaborative sustainable development interventions.

The governor shall be the chairperson of the council who will appoint the executive director and the secretary.

The council shall be composed of representatives from the offices of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development; Health, Engineering, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources; Veterinary, Planning and Development; Provincial Secretary, Tourism and Heritage Council, and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

Also members are the chairmen of the PB committees on planning, environment, trade and industry and tourism; presidents of the mayors’ league and the association of barangay councils; and two representatives from people’s organizations championing environment protection and preservation.

The proposed ordinance also provides the eGwen Awards for Green Champion Award, Model Town Award and Good Neighbor Award that will be lodged under the Garbo sa Sugbo awards which the Provincial Government of Cebu confers annually during its founding anniversary.

Meanwhile, the PB promised to conduct an immediate investigation if Ba-rili Mayor Teresito Mariñas will file a complaint against Vice Mayor Marlon Garcia for allegedly taking a tourist bus from him after it was awarded to the town for topping the E-Gwen program last Sunday in Asturias.

The PB has jurisdiction over complaints filed against any elective municipal officials.

“If there will be a filed complaint, it will go directly to the PB because we have a committee on complaints and investigations headed by Joven Mondigo to resolve such matters,” said Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

Marlon, the brother of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, is running for mayor against Mariñas who is an ally of Magpale.

Magpale said she learned that Mariñas stayed behind to receive the key from the governor during the turnover ceremony and was scheduled to receive the bus after lunch.

But Mariñas then found out that Marlon left with the bus.

Barili placed third in the eGwen contest.

“Barili really deserves to win,” Magpale added.

According to Magpale what was commendable about Barili was that despite the fact that they had no budget for the gasoline of their garbage trucks, Mariñas still found a way to organizing the private sector to help him out in sustaining cleanliness of Barili for the eGwen program.  —/BRP (FREEMAN)