Plan to leave MCDCB: I respect mayor‘s decision - Davide

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III respects the decision of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to exclude Cebu City from the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

This, after Osmeña said he will write to MCDCB formalizing his decision not to join the coordinating body.

“I don’t really mind. We have to respect the decision of the mayor,” Davide said.

Davide, who chairs the MCDCB, said that they will still inform the Cebu City though if there’s a communication happening in the board.

The governor said excluding Cebu City from the MCDCB might affect the proposed bill of Cebu City North District Representative Raul del Mar creating the Mega Cebu Development Authority (MCDA).

“Well it might, kay ang Cebu City is part sa proposed bill ni Congressman del Mar.  We probably make adjustments. I have yet to talk to Congressman Del Mar about that,” Davide said.

Osmeña made the statement after MCDCB Executive Chair Gordon Alan Joseph made pronouncements against the mayor’s Bus Rapid Transit project.

Joseph, who also sits as the president of Cebu Business Club, was quoted saying it is a waste of money if the government will push for the implementation of the P16.3-billion BRT project, adding that government should go for the Light Rail Transit project instead.

The MCDCB is a coordinating body composed of 13 local government units in Metro Cebu that includes Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Danao, Talisay, Carcar, Naga, Cebu City, Consolacion, Lilioan, Cordova, Minglanilla, Compostela, and San Fernando.

Its focus is for the development and sustainability of short and long term projects and programs that would be beneficial to Metro Cebu. (FREEMAN)