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Saturday, July 16, 2005
Gwen cites record and assets hike on first year in office
By Jeanette P. Malinao
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
A lack of debt high-lighted Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia’s accomplishments in the past year, but also lacking from her State of the Province Address last night were majority of the Provincial Board.
Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez Jr. and members of business clubs, nongovernment organizations and Cebu’s diplomatic corps all hailed Garcia for doing more than what she promised, but only four of the 15 Board members showed up.
Sanchez said that opposition PB Member Luigi Quisumbing was also throwing a party for his birthday, which was last July 12 yet. Other legislators had prior commitments, he said.
“We’re moving forward. I have weathered quite a few political storms and I am prepared to weather some more. I will not lose sleep over them, only on the things that need to be done,” said Garcia.
What the governor considered her greatest achievement in her first year is her new way of doing things.
“It’s difficult to quantify: it is that new way of thinking, that new way of doing things. We are witnessing the dawning of a new age in politics that feeds upon the belief that politics should not be an end but merely a means of good governance,” she said in her speech.
Numero uno
“Cebu today, as we assumed office a year ago, continues to be the number one province in the entire country. Number one in gross assets, in equity and in total income,” she said.
Sanchez believes that Cebu is where it is now because of Garcia’s focus on economic enterprises.
As of the end of December last year, the Province posted a 15.74 percent growth in net income, and an unprecedented surplus of P2.1 billion: P712 million in cash and short-term deposits and P1.4 billion in medium and long-term investments.
“In a country where a considerable number of local government units have mortgaged their Internal Revenue Allotments to finance their operations, the Province of Cebu has zero debt,” Garcia said.
She also announced that she was able to deliver what she promised a year ago in terms of infrastructure, water, power, health, education, agriculture and food production, women, business, tourism and the environment.
Outsourcing
Cebu has also outsour-ced personnel for district hospitals and the engineering department, reportedly a first for any local government in the country.
Cebu also enrolled the biggest number of families, at 350,000, in the Philhealth program.
After watching the governor work for a year, US Consul John Domingo considers Garcia “dynamic, smart, hardworking and exactly what we need.”
“We need more of her in the country. She has proven she can do it, and has put Cebu even more in a leadership role,” said Dominggo.
Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Roberto Go said Garcia showed a “significant performance considering the mammoth task that she has.”
“With her good partnership with the private sector, our dreams can come true and projects can be reached. She is passionate and persuasive,” said Go.
‘Done a lot’
PB Member Jose Ma. Gastardo admitted that he differs with Garcia on several issues. But, he said, “It’s nice to hear what she’s done and we anticipate the projects that she intends to do.”
PB Member Agnes Magpale, who is also vocal against some of Garcia’s policies, listened to the address but went out of the gathering right after Garcia finished her speech.
Magpale refused to give an assessment when Sun.Star Cebu asked her on her way out, saying she was rushing to Compostela.
Other PB members who attended were PB Members Juan Bolo and Alfie Ouano. PB Member Ramon Martin Calderon arrived only after the speech, so he said he could not give any comment.
Former congressman Emerito Calderon believes Garcia has “done a lot” in her first year and has “shown she takes responsibility for the Province.”
Businessman Michel Lhuillier, for his part, thinks Garcia is managing the Province well: “Zero debt and P2.1 billion in excess? Wow.”
(July 16, 2005 issue)
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