PJ eyes 3 provincial colleges if elected

CEBU, Philippines - If elected governor, third district Rep. Pablo John “PJ” Garcia of One Cebu Party vowed to bring quality education to the countryside by establishing at least three provincial colleges and municipal colleges.

Garcia laid down his program of government in yesterday’s leg of Candidates’ Fora 2013 answering the question, “What is your vision of growth for Cebu?”

“We have to be sure that the quality of education they have at the countryside is at par with that in the City,” Garcia said.

Garcia’s plan is also supported by independent vice gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco. He said education is the key and that there should be a provincial college.

Soco, a businessman, said that Cebu has a very good future and can be premiere province in Southeast Asia comparable to Busan, Hongkong and Shanghai.

Soco also stressed the need to support macro and micro economic enterprises as well as the small and medium industries to foster development of Cebu.

He assured to work together with whoever is elected governor in the May 13 elections.

Garcia said that Cebu has the best human resources and that growth of the province should be anchored on these.

“There are no more new farmers, no one is interested. Our education system must be responsive, sensitive to the demands of the populace,” Garcia said.

Aside from education, on top of Garcia’s priorities include health and social services; job opportunities; preservation of cultural heritage to maintain identity; environmental protection and infrastructure development.

Garcia also responded to question on how to address the rising number of cases on the human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) particularly in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.

“There has to be education of our youth to safe sex,” Garcia said.

Independent gubernatorial candidate Hermelito Bulala has cited provisions in the Local Government Code regarding the innate functions of the Office of the Governor in the delivery of basic services.

Bulala’s platform is anchored on achieving the objectives of Local Government Code and the exercise of local autonomy.

“We should not make a compromise with what is illegal,” Bulala said.

He will also push for the improvement of barangay health centers, public safety, transparency and good governance.  (FREEMAN)