Thursday, August 26, 2004 Guv hopes to get RDC head post By Adrian Sedillo
* Gov. George Arnaiz says he is optimistic of getting the seat because he said he has the support of eight of the 12 city mayors of Central Visayas and 18 of the 20 regional directors
* If appointed, he says, he will work to make sure that all provinces of Central Visayas will get their fair share
NEGROS Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz remained hopeful of getting the presidential appointment to chair the Regional Development Council (RDC) following Friday's meeting of the body that ensured his nomination to the powerful regional seat.
The other nominees to the RDC top post are Gov. Orlando Fua of Siquijor for the government sector and Robert Go, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Cebu and Loreto Palapos, president of the chamber of commerce of Bohol.
Arnaiz said he is optimistic of getting the seat because he has the support of eight of the 12 city mayors of Central Visayas and 18 of the 20 regional directors.
Until after President Arroyo named him, Arnaiz said he refuses to believe he is the RDC chairman.
The governor said it is also possible that the President will appoint a nominee from the private sector meaning either Go or Palapos.
The nominees have a month to complete the requirements for their appointment and Arnaiz expects results with the next meeting of the RDC.
Arnaiz admitted he had requested Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia to give him the chance to take over the post as he was in his last term as governor.
Garcia had been considered as the top contender to the post, which had been held by Cebu and Bohol leaders since it was created in the 1970s.
It turned out later that the Cebu governor herself nominated Arnaiz to the position and was unchallenged.
On the other hand, Governor Arnaiz said that in case he got the presidential appointment, he will not promise to pour major development projects and funding into Negros Oriental because of the government's poor financial condition.
If appointed, he said, he will work to make sure that all provinces of Central Visayas will get their fair share.
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