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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Cabaero: Mega-regions, mega-promise
By Nini B.Cabaero
Beyond 30
The good news even prior to the address to the nation by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Monday came with the term “mega-regions.” It sounded proud, huge and promising to those areas that would qualify for “megahood.”
An advance report on the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) said she would announce her move to create mega-regions to spur economic growth in the countryside. This would be a follow-up to her statement in the Sona last year when she promised to empower the regions by “taking power from the center to the countryside that feeds it.”
As early as four hours before Arroyo was to speak to Congress, Cabinet Spokesman Ricardo Saludo said the President would focus on the economy and government’s fiscal reforms. He said she would announce the creation of the mega-regions and how this move would bolster the economy in the countryside. The four mega-regions were identified as North Luzon, Metro Luzon, Central Philippines and Mindanao.
The North Luzon mega-region would cover Regions 1, 2, Cordillera Administrative Region plus Aurora and Nueva Ecija; Metro Luzon - Regions 3 (except Aurora and Nueva Ecija), 4-A and National Capital Region or Metro Manila; Central Philippines -Regions 4-B, 5, 6, 7 and 8; and Mindanao -Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
It appeared that the plan was put to action since mid-June when Malacanang held meetings with local officials. Saludo said the consultations with local government units were held beginning June 16 for the North Luzon mega-region followed on June 20 for Metro Luzon, July 7 for Central Philippines and July 8 for Mindanao. He added that Arroyo presided over all the initial meetings and second-round discussions.
In her address before Congress, Arroyo said these mega-regions would “end the dominance of imperial Manila and give more opportunities to the provinces and the people.” She then went on with an enumeration of projects per region. Among them, she said, are the construction of the world-class Cebu International Convention Center, a landing system for Boracay, good roads in Panay, and alternative fuel projects in other areas. She promised a central nautical highway to connect Cebu, Masbate and Bicol.
And, Arroyo said, the government now has the money to fund these projects.
Before ending her speech, she promised, “After three years, 11 months and six days, I shall relinquish the presidency with much if not all that I have outlined, completed.”
The mega-regions program would be a mega-promise to the people outside of the nation’s capital who have been hungry for National Government attention and funding for decades.
Arroyo’s speech raises the expectations level of these people.
(ninicab@sunstar.com.ph)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 25, 2006 issue)
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