Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Cebu as ‘benchmark’ for growth
WITH their thrust to create a long-term development plan for Cebu, business sector representatives are initiating the formation of a “coalition foundation.”
The master plan, dubbed Cebu 2030, is geared at making Cebu a benchmark for economic growth and political stability, making it the most livable place in the country.
It also aims to highlight the province as the one with the most productive and educated workforce 23 years from now.
The two-day forum, which had the theme “Cebu-The Future is Ours,” sought to answer “What is it that we want Cebu to become by 2030?”
This was the proposal discussed during the vision and strategic planning forum or think tank chaired by economist Jesus Estanislao.
Estanislao said Cebu’s lack of a long-term development plan was what pushed the realization of the master plan.
“There is lack of coordination. Every person does his own way,” he said.
Cebu Business Club (CBC) president Dondi Joseph said the proposed Cebu 2030 is composed of steps that are “time-bound, measurable and actionable” and hopes to make Cebu as the model for good governance and government.
“We want to bring the Cebu 2030 to something more practical. It’s not going to be your normal strategic plan,” Joseph said.
Earlier, CBC identified five specific concerns affecting Cebu’s business environment, like the inadequacy of infrastructure and transportation, power shortage, water shortage, poor quality of education and the lack of good governance.
“This will be an updated and implementable strategy to push the development of Cebu into the most competitive and respected province in the Philippines,” Joseph said.
Solidarity
Estanislao said unity and solidarity of both private and public sectors will be among the most urgent issues that need to be addressed first.
Joseph expressed delight on the efforts of local government leaders, like Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who met with leaders in the business community to discuss viable long-term developments for Cebu.
Although the coalition was business sector-led, Joseph said the group does not limit itself to businessmen alone.
“This group does not want to work in spite of government but we want to function with the government and all other sectors in Cebu,” he said. (MMM)
