Thursday, March 27, 2008 Cebu Province among top LGUs
THE Cebu Provincial Government is one of the best local government units (LGUs) in the country in terms of investment opportunities and promotion, according to a private think tank.
The Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) named Cebu Province and the Cities of San Fernando in Pampang, Tagaytay and Iloilo as the best LGUs in the country.
Cebu was chosen because of its partnership with the different public and private sector organizations, especially in tourism projects.
ISA President Jesus Estanislao said one of the best practices of Cebu is the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), which has a charter unique to Cebu.
MCIAA is composed of members of various agencies and private sector representatives concerned with the development of Cebu’s international airport.
“MCIAA is a big project that is good for Cebu, which is being promoted by whom? The multi-sectoral coalition, pushing it and saying ‘Hey, we’ve got to expand instead of only having so many tourists in Cebu,’” Estanislao said.
Each of the four LGUs was given a chance to present their projects.
During the ISA Public Governance Forum, Cebu had presentations by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and businessman Bunny Pages, representing the multi-sectoral group Cebu Leads Foundation. The presentations were well-applauded by those who attended the gathering, representatives from different LGUs and the business sector.
Pages said Cebu is a good bet because of its strategic location, infrastructure and people.
Garcia said one of the advantages of Cebu is its tendency to veer away from the political climate in the National Capital Region.
Estanislao agreed, saying, “(Cebu) is not caught by all the difficulties that Manila has in terms of politics and the attitude of people also.”
“You have a good governor who is very committed and very hands-on,” Estanislao said, noting that good governance is not limited to the local chief executives.
“It is not a matter for the governor alone, it is equally the responsibility of the governed. It is not only the responsibility of the national government, it is the responsibility of every LGU, from the municipalities down to the barangay.”
During the open forum of the Cebu presentation, one foreigner stood up and said, “Ten years from now, Cebu will be even more developed. Keep up the good work.”
A representative of the Development Bank of the Philippines also noted that Cebu’s presentation was humble. He noted that Cebu was a key element in the development of its neighboring areas like Bohol, Leyte and Samar.
“We (Cebuanos) are not dragged down by political bickering,” said Garcia, adding that she hopes Cebu would lead the country in that sense.
Pride
But in yesterday’s event, Garcia was supposed to have been given an ID that identified her as chief executive of Cebu City. The confusion arose because Cebu was the only provincial government recognized along with the three cities.
When told of the confusion, the organizers changed the ID and gave her one that identified her as chief executive of Cebu Province.
When asked about the confusion, Garcia said she didn’t mind.
“We (Cebu Province) are the odd one in the group of four. But I don’t mind the confusion with the City of Cebu because we are very, very proud of the Queen City of the South, as long as you won’t confuse the financial situation and the two local chief executives,” Garcia told the forum audience.
Cebu Province, she said, prides itself on being debt-free. (JGA)
