I ALMOST fell off my chair upon reading a news item wherein Gov. Hilario Davide III said that the reason the Province of Cebu remained the richest province in the country is good governance and prudent spending.
What? Did the governor claim that there is no graft and corruption in his administration? Corruption is prevalent in the Capitol under Davide’s watch. He may not be directly involved but he definitely knows who among his department heads are doing it.
Wasn’t it corruption when the Bids and Awards Committee awarded to the highest bidder the contract for the purchase of heavy equipment? Wasn’t it corruption when the former chief of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) accepted appliances from a sand and gravel hauler whose permit was issued by Penro? Wasn’t it corruption when one of his trusted men got culverts owned by the Provincial Government and installed these in a private subdivision where he lives? Wasn’t it corruption when his former trusted man at the provincial jail was accused of supplying illegal drugs and other contraband inside the facility?
If I were in Davide’s shoes, I would stop talking about graft and corruption. He miserably failed to control these and failed to discipline those involved.
On Davide’s inaction, either he benefited from those acts or he does not know about them.If Cebu province is the richest in the country, why are the basic needs of the constituents not addressed? Are the medical and health services in the district hospitals being attended to? No. Consider that some patients from the province are still brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for treatment. What’s the purpose of maintaining these hospitals when there are no capable doctors or adequate medical facilities there?
What about the farm-to-market roads and other infrastructure? How many school buildings were constructed? Is his Farmers Scientists Training Program under the supervision of his uncle, Dr. Romulo Davide, a success?
If the province is the richest, why is the Davide administration applying for loans for the purchase of the heavy equipment and the construction of a 20-story building inside Capitol compound? Why not use the Province’s own resources? Is this a priority?
The government is not a private corporation that should make money at the end of the year. What’s the use of money that is “sleeping” in the bank? Capitol has many “non-performing assets.” I am referring to the real estate properties owned by the Province but are occupied by squatters.
Why won’t Capitol enter into joint venture agreements with private corporations (through the public-private partnership program) to develop these areas so these can generate revenues?
It’s unfortunate that Davide has no vision for the province. He is contented with what he has now. So it’s good that he is no longer running for governor in next year’s elections because the province has no future under him.