MCDCB presents Mega Cebu Vision to City Council

CEBU, Philippines - The Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) has asked for the support of the Cebu City Council as it formally presented the “Mega Cebu Vision 2050” program yesterday.

The Province of Cebu, 13 municipalities and other component cities except the Cebu City government have already passed a resolution supporting and adopting the Mega Cebu program and its vision.

Mega Cebu Vision 2050 is an urban development vision and cooperation among the seven cities and six towns that comprise the Metropolitan Cebu that show heavy concentration of development, urbanization and economic growth.

The council said that they cannot draft a resolution or even an ordinance yet without first convening with the Executive Department and they still have to see, study and scrutinize the memorandum of agreement to be entered into.

The council learned in yesterday’s executive session that Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama had already signed in his personal capacity the MOA with MCDCB last April 2011 as co-chairperson.

Councilor Margot Osmeña asked Evelyn Nacario-Castro, the executive director of Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) if Rama really signed in behalf of Cebu City or in his personal capacity.

Castro in response said that they still have to check and verify Rama’s status.

“We want things to be done properly and accordingly. If he signed in behalf of the Cebu City government, the council will know so we really have to sit down with the executive (Rama) for us to make a proper resolution,” said Osmeña.

MCDCB is also asking for the City’s commitment to allocate resources, support and cooperation for the present and future Mega Cebu programs and projects up to barangay level.

Osmeña said they may draft a resolution but they can’t assure of allocating resources or funding because Rama has to do the initiative for MCDCB.

Castro said the City can contribute and help through manpower and logistics utilizing the expertise of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW).

Councilor Sisinio Andales also said the council has the right to know all the identities of public and private sectors including civil society partnerships and cooperation for transparency reason.

“We want to know the identity of the Board kay basi mapareho nya ta sa P10 million pork barrel scam, mabasol pa ta ani,” Andales explained.

Dominica Chua, chief operations officer RAFI, has assured the council that the funds will be handled by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

RAFI facilitates the Mega Cebu program. It anchors the Research, Program and Organizational Development (RPOD) of the MCDCB and also serving as coordinating and operations unit and process facilitator of the various functions, structures, plans, programs, and efforts of the Board.— (FREEMAN)