Orders to cut red tape, protect environment please Cebu’s leaders

WHILE he didn’t go to Congress for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III praised the President’s speech, especially for its frankness and substance.

“I liked it, it was short and direct to the point, as I had expected. In general, it was a good speech, with less adlib and more meat,” Davide said.

Business leaders in Cebu praised President Rodrigo Duterte’s order for all local governments to implement the Ease of Doing Business Act, but said they would have appreciated it more if infrastructure projects for Cebu had been mentioned.

While he commended the President for prioritizing the protection of the environment, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella would have wanted to hear a more elaborate report on the economy.

“He has proven his sincerity in the war against illegal drugs and the fight against the deeply-rooted culture of corruption in the government. He even fired his own appointees. Worth noting also was when he urged the local government units to be partners in development and also for the protection of the environment,” Labella said.

The vice mayor, who attended the SONA for the second time, said he would appreciated a more thorough report on the economy.

“But generally, it was an impressive SONA,” Labella added.

The SONA included two orders for local government units: that they “faithfully implement” the Ease of Doing Business Act, cut red tape and simplify processes; and that they enforce laws to protect the environment “and not wait for us to swoop down on your areas just to do your duty and work.”

President Duterte mentioned what happened to Boracay, which he ordered closed to tourists for six months this year to halt damage to its environment.

While the President is often remembered for his sharp remarks against corruption and drugs, he is not known to be an environmentalist, said opposition Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

“I’m impressed with his stand on the environment. He is not known to be an environmental guy. His stand about the need to clean up Boracay Island alone was remarkable,” Councilor Garcia said.

For an official of the Archdiocese of Cebu, some details on the direction of the anti-drug war would have helped.

“How far are we in the war against illegal drugs? What is the government’s remaining scope in the war that needs to be addressed? Are we beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel?” asked Msgr. Joseph Tan, the Archdiocese of Cebu’s media liaison officer.

Tan said that the entire Catholic Church continues to pray for Duterte that he will succeed in his endeavors to institute change.

For his part, Cebu Rep. Gerald Anthony Gullas (Cebu Province, first district) said he was happy to hear from the President on his plan to expand access to health care and create a Department of Disaster Management.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Stanley Go said he liked it that President Duterte called on government agencies to cut red tape.

“He has successfully set the tone that there should be execution and government agencies should rightfully do their functions,” said Go.

For Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Antonio Chiu, what stood out were the goals to achieve, such as the war on drugs and corruption, achieving peace in Mindanao, pursuing an independent foreign policy, reenergized relations with China and the rest of Southeast Asia, and his praise for Filipino migrant workers.

“The only mention of Cebu, though, was with reference to Malasakit Centers. He made no mention of any infrastructure projects, including our integrated intermodal mass transit system or any other project for that matter, which was sad,” Chiu said. (JKV, KOC, RTF)