EDITORIAL — Great choices in Ace and Cerge

President Arroyo, in her latest visit to her adopted home of Cebu last Friday, named Tourism Secretary Ace Durano as the first Central Philippines super region chief, and Government Mass Media Group Secretary Cerge Remonde as cabinet officer for regional development.

The president could not have found more dynamic choices than these two young exemplary Cebuanos. Known for their being work horses, Ace and Cerge are expected to deliver on the expectations not just of the president but of their fellow Cebuanos.

The Central Philippines is one of the most economically upbeat regions in the country, despite the active presence of ragtag bands of communists in central Negros, northern Cebu, and in the mountain fastness of Samar.

Indeed, it is perhaps because of its well-entrenched economic position that has prevented the communist scourge from spreading. And with the help of these two gentlemen in charting even better courses toward more development, the region should reach even greater heights.

To be sure, much of what is being bruited about as super regions is still in the drawing boards. This is because these so-called super regions have no well-defined borders in the way that we all understand political divisions.

These super regions naturally have porous borders. They are but metaphors to put a finger on for government to identify specific interest areas. We do not even believe there should be a formal nomenclature to define these areas. But then there they are, and so be it.

The important thing is that there is a government initiative to spread and then promote development across the length and breadth of the country, not in a haphazard manner, but in a well-organized and systematic way.

With this as a working idea from which to jump off, we are pretty sure the choices of the president - Ace and Cerge - to lead the initiative by hitting the ground running couldn't have been more precise. They have her confidence. And they are doers.