Sunday, September 14, 2008 Tomas declines seat in metro council
CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has declined membership in the Metro Cebu Development Council (MCDC), a body currently chaired by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
But in his letter to National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 7 Director Marlene Rodriguez, Osmeña assured that Cebu City will continue to “cooperate and collaborate” with neighboring local government units (LGUs) on “common urban and metropolitan issues and concerns.”
Garcia asked the MCDC to continue inviting Osmeña and to inform the mayor about ongoing undertakings of the MCDC.
The MCDC is currently under the supervision of the Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC). It was created through a resolution the RDC 7 approved in 1997 and is supposed to coordinate the planning, project implementation and monitoring of Metro Cebu-wide programs and projects.
The MCDC, however, suffered a temporary setback a few years after its creation due to the lack of financial support from different LGUs.
Members of the council revived the metropolitan body and planned for a briefing by the Metro Manila Development Authority and the Metro Naga Development Council, for the members to learn from their experiences and best practices.
During their meeting at the Capitol Social Hall last Friday, the MCDC also approved a resolution on the proposed work and financial plan of the metropolitan body from January 2009 to December 2010.
It requested the RDC 7 to ask the Department of Budget and Management to release P4.5 million for the council.
The Neda 7 acknowledged the need for LGUs to work together on programs for transportation and traffic management, solid waste disposal and management, flood control and public safety and security.
Governor Garcia said that the council would be nothing without the support of various LGUs.
At least 14 towns in the province passed a resolution supporting the MCDC and extending financial contributions to the council. (GMD)
