MCDCB partners renew commitment

CEBU, Philippines- Stakeholders of the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) have renewed their commitment to the board to implement long-term plans for Metro Cebu.

“Para nako, this is a renewal of our commitment for Mega Cebu. It’s a good exercise. There had been many challenges, it’s time to put foot down and declare for Cebu,” said Governor Hilario Davide III, co-chair of MCDCB.

Signing the agreement were Davide, mayors of Metro Cebu, civil society groups and government organizations, among others.

They vowed to “continue to be committed” to the principles and framework of inter-local and city-region collaboration, public-private sector partnership, and planning and development.

 The Mega Cebu program, which was started in 2011 during the term of former governor Gwendolyn Garcia, envisions a wholesome, advanced, vibrant, equitable, sustainable (WAVES) Cebu in 2050.

The first memorandum of agreement was signed that year and, since then, Roberto Aboitiz, co-chair of the board, said the collaboration is on a journey, albeit “one step at a time,” for the realization of its dream.

Under the agreement, the partners hope to achieve an integrated development; sound transport and traffic management; a developed solid waste disposal, roads and public infrastructures; climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, among others for Metro Cebu.

 On April 8, Japan International Cooperation Agency is scheduled to present the final result of its studies on the Mega Cebu’s roadmap.

 National Economic and Development Authority-7 director Efren Carreon said the results marks another milestone for Mega Cebu, and from there, they will move on to implement the project. But being a big-ticket one, he said, they will need to get resources from national or international funding.

 For his part, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, also a co-chair of the board, said unity is key to the success of Mega Cebu.

 “We are one. We’ll bring us to a beautiful world together. Some may not be happy with the word together because that will remind them of Mike Rama and his administration… The best way to run a government is to become one, never mind the politics, just Cebu, for our children,” Rama said.

 “We don’t live forever. We leave a legacy. That’s doing our best for our island, Cebu,” he added.   (FREEMAN)