Friday, June 27, 2008 Bizmen criticize Radaza in forum
THE forum by some business leaders in Mactan Island that had officials of Philippines Export Zone Authority (Peza), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Department of Tourism (DOT) as guests yesterday was more of a venue to criticize Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza’s administration.
Bad roads, tolerated number of squatters, illegal construction by known Radaza’s political supporters in shorelines, lack of tourism related projects and political will to implement environmental laws and the unabated corruption are areas that have undermined the growth of the island particularly Lapu-Lapu City.
Objective
But Vice Mayor Mario Amores doubts the forum’s objective, saying it should have been done long ago and not at the height of the Radaza-Pelaez intense conflict. Radaza was among those invited, but did not stay long.
He and Assistant City Attorney Michael Dignos stayed for less than 30 minutes in the forum. They left after Peza director general Lilia De Lima spoke before the audience of the Mactan Economic Zone’s contribution to Cebu’s economy and employment and the adverse of corruption.
She said that locators at export zones are under PEZA’s Charter and therefore secures building and occupancy permits from them, not from the host local government
unit.
Industry
The signing of a protocol of cooperation by among officials of the invited agencies and Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) after the forum did not take place because of non-representation by the City Government and the Department of Public Works and Highways.
“With or without the support of the local government we will push through with our agenda,” Efrain Pelaez, Jr., the MICCI president told reporters. The gathering dubbed as Mactan Development Forum: A gateway for Change began at 9 a.m. and ended at 4 p.m. at a local hotel in Lapu-Lapu City.
The forum was originally scheduled last February, but the alleged non-cooperation of City Hall prompted the MICCI board to reset it, but still Radaza and the other city officials remained invited.
“We have a platform and we can tell him about it if he is not going to solve the prevailing problems. It is really obvious that Radaza is not doing his job,” he said.
Several recommendations were adopted to turn Mactan Island more developed, among them is a court action against illegal construction in seashores particularly the “Sutukil” restaurants at the Mactan Shrine and the house of Federation of Lapu-Lapu City Urban Poor Association president Erlinda Beduya, creation of an Integrated Mactan Seascape where the DENR, DILG, DOT are represented.
A committee that would also protect the exposed aquifer in Barangay Agus was also suggested. (AIV)
