Sunday, August 15, 2004 Micame: Quenching Cebu’s thirst By Rel P. Micame
REACTION. This corner got reactions from two readers from Consolacion yesterday—a phone call from former Consolacion mayor and retired banker Maximo “Max” Malagar, and an e-mail from businessman Roger Guaca.
Malagar informed me that he is interested in joining a business club or chamber in Consolacion to be able to contribute his ideas for the economic development of the town. He also expressed his concern about Metro Cebu’s water problem. He asked Cebuanos to harness whatever available sources of water not only in Cebu, but also in neighboring provinces.
Well, the town already has a business club organized by businessman Max Ricoher-moso of MCPI Corp., a seaweeds processing plant based in the coastal baran-gay of Tugbongan.
BOHOL WATER. Cebu should seriously consider sourcing water from the neighboring province of Bohol. Bohol, which is near Cebu, should share its water with us. There are investors who are willing to invest for its development.
Also, the Carmen water in northern Cebu must be brought to Metro Cebu as soon as possible. The consortium of Ayala Corp. and Stateland Central Equity Ventures Inc. are eager to commence the development of the Carmen water project.
But the Investment Coordinating Council of the National Economic and Development Authority, which had given the first approval of the project, had not issued yet the necessary guidelines for the negotiation with host Municipality of Carmen.
OLD MARKET. On the other hand, Guaca inquired what the Conso-lacion Municipal Government is planning to do with the old public market in Poblacion. It has been left idle for a couple of years.
In my talk with Conso-lacion Mayor Avelino Gungob Sr., he said the old facility will be developed into a modern shopping center. The two old structures, which are already part of Consolacon’s history, will be preserved and remodeled. Another building will be constructed at the rear of both buildings. There will be spaces for restaurants, coffee shops, children’s entertainment center, grocery and a dry goods store, bank and parking space in the old market. But there is no timetable for its development. It will depend on the availability of funds.
LOSERS. Cebuanos will be the ultimate losers in the current imbroglio between Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. over the 2004 Capitol budget. Gwen vetoed a resolution passed by the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) asking the governor to grant incentive allowances to Capitol employees. The governor insists that the 2004 budget be passed first before any benefits can be given. However, the vice governor is firm in his stand that the 2004 appropriation had already been enacted by the old PB.
Greg is also insisting that Gwen accept the budget passed by the previous provincial legislative body. He even assured Gwen that the PB will pass the supplemental budget on the first, second and third reading in just one session.
With this impasse, it looks like Capitol employees will be deprived of benefits this year.
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