Davide to bring up rehab concerns to Lacson

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he will discuss with Secretary Panfilo Lacson of the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Rehabilitation and Repair concerns on the acquisition of relocation sites in northern Cebu, as well as funding for the rehabilitation projects.

Davide is meeting Lacson today in Daanbantayan and Bantayan Island for the turnover of classrooms and daycare centers from the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

“I will take it up with him kung unsaon na mapadali ni sa pagkuha sa relocation sites,” said Davide.

The acquisition of relocation sites in northern Cebu is one of the major concerns in the rehabilitation projects, as cited by lawyer Chad Estella, OIC of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. Estella is part of the Capitol’s lot appraisal committee.

Davide added that he will also inquire with Lacson about the funding from the national government for rehabilitation projects in Cebu.

“Padayun pud ta pag-follow-up sa OPARR kining status sa uban assistance na ato gipangayo through our rehab plan which the president already approved,” he said.

A recent report released by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office showed that there is a gap of over P7 billion for the budget of rehabilitation projects for northern Cebu.  During the visit of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas to Cebu the previous week, he said that the budget is under the OPARR.

Davide asked for understanding from the public on the delay in the rehabilitation.

“Hangyo ta na gamay lang gyud na pasensya,” said Davide, who explained that government projects really take time as it goes through a lot of procedures.

But Davide said the government is doing its best and in fact, the development of projects is even fast because the local government units of the affected towns are working well.

“Maayo man pag-execute nila sa projects,” said Davide.

Meanwhile, Davide said that the second batch of financial assistance from DILG intended for barangay-based projects would be going directly to the municipal and city go-vernments which will be responsible in giving out the aid to the barangay officials.

Davide said it would not be going through the provincial government anymore. Roxas, in his visit to Cebu last week, said that they are eyeing on giving the P2-billion aid to the provincial government which would forward it to the LGUs or will go to the LGUs directly.   (FREEMAN)