|
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Empowering provinces gets loudest cheer
CEBU CITY -- Cebuano leaders lauded President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for a detailed and specific development and economic master plan for the five super regions, but an opposition legislator noted Arroyo's insincerity in calling for unity and an end to corruption.
For Central Philippines, the region will enjoy priority in tourism investments, Arroyo said in her State of the Nation Address Monday afternoon.
The President noted the "extraordinary hospitality of the people" of the Central Philippines, which comprises Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Negros island, and Leyte, among others.
She said these provinces attract more than half of the foreign tourists in the Philippines. She mentioned the world-class Cebu International Convention Center being built in Cebu in time for international summits in December, a landing system for Boracay, good roads in Panay, and alternative fuel projects in other areas.
She promised a central nautical highway to connect Cebu, Masbate, and Bicol.
"Helping our infrastructure upgrading is the fall in bribery for public sector contracts in Metro Cebu, from 62 percent of companies in 2004 to 47 percent today. Congratulations to Cardinal Vidal for shepherding his flock and to Metro Cebu Mayors Tomas Osmena, Thadeo Ouano and Socrates Fernandez, and Metro Cebu representatives Raul del Mar, Antonio Cuenco, Eduardo Gullas and Nerissa Soon-Ruiz," Arroyo said in her speech.
Del Mar, deputy House speaker and represents Cebu City's north district, said Monday's "bested all the other previous addresses of former presidents, and even her own."
Representative Antonio Yapha (Cebu, 3rd district) and del Mar believe the projects Arroyo outlined in her address are doable, but whether she finishes all the projects remains to be seen.
"It's a very detailed, very specific address. Everything was covered but the problem is, matuman ba ng tanan?" said Yapha, an opposition congressman.
But for del Mar, a staunch ally of the President, it is good enough that Arroyo has a well-conceptualized master plan.
"It's a specific master plan of current and future development projects that covered practically all provinces. I believe she can do it but even if she doesn't, even if she only accomplishes 80 percent of everything, I think that's good enough," del Mar said.
For opposition congresswoman Clavel Martinez (Cebu, 4th), the Sona was like a pep rally for the Arroyo administration.
The President reported several reforms and the completion of projects across the country, but most of these have been completed even before her term started, Martinez told Sun.Star Cebu.
As to the projects she laid down for the remainder of her term, Martinez believes they cannot be completed in three years.
"There's nothing much that I can react on, there's nothing much for Cebu. I was with fellow congressmen who shared the same gripes that they did not get anything. I'm very disappointed because all the serious issues that she should have addressed, she skirted all those issues," she said in a phone interview after the Sona.
Martinez also noted the President's lack of sincerity when she called on her foes not to pick up old fights and "to join hands instead in the biggest challenge of all-the battle for survival of our one and only country."
"Who will believe in her call to end corruption when (former agriculture undersecretary) Jocjoc Bolante is protected, when her Cabinet members are covered up during investigations. When she said let's join hands, I don't think she was sincere. She was just tongue in cheek," she added.
Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who was acknowledged by the President in her speech, said, "the Sona provides a clear economic roadmap for the economic future of the Philippines."
"I am glad that the President emphasized the crucial role that the local chief executives play in moving our country in that direction. That President acknowledged responsible Cebuano leaders who share this vision is the supreme compliment. But it is also a challenge for us to do more and to deliver-as expected," she said.
Business leaders in Cebu agree with the President's announcement that Central Philippines' competitive edge is tourism.
"It's very appropriate. The economic future of the Philippines is on services and tourism. Since we do not have a distinct advantage for manufacturing and agriculture, this country should develop tourism more," said Joel Mari Yu, managing director Cebu Investment Promotions Center.
For his part, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Francis Monera said, "Cebu is always strong on tourism. We also get a lot of support from the central government. This will certainly go a long way."
"The President also talked about nautical highways. If tourist areas are more accessible, then it's good," Monera added.
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano was also all praises for the President.
"It shows that she recognizes the different assets of each region," said Ouano, who was also proud that the President mentioned the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue.
Police Regional Office 7 Director Silverio Alarcio, for his part, found the Sona "inspiring" and after hearing the president, he felt "re-energized to work hard."
"I saw optimism in the president and I hope her optimism will run down to the Filipino people...That's the job of the leader-to inspire her people," said Alarcio.
While Ouano was among those invited to watch Arroyo deliver her Sona inside the Batasan Complex, Ouano begged off as he preferred to join his constituents and fellow local officials in watching the SONA over live telecast.
Alarcio and Guanzon were among those who watched the live telecast of the SONA at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
In Cebu City, Acting Mayor Hilario Davide III supported Arroyo's call to end political and extrajudicial killings in the country.
Davide said he hopes the President is serious on stopping extra-judicial killings, which claimed the lives of at least 172 individuals in Cebu City alone since December 2004.
Like del Mar, Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Felix Guanzon, City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem also believes the President delivered her best Sona so far.
"Her willingness to face her foes if they still want to fight, while describing it as a waste of time, showed her true strength and the sense of priorities needed in good governance," Jakosalem said. (LCR/ROV/MMM/MBG of Sun.Star Cebu)
(July 25, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Arroyo lists super projects, says funds available