A MEETING between representatives of 60 national government agencies (NGAs) and government-owned and –controlled corporations (GOCCs) and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, got positive results.
The attendees discussed issues pertaining to the so-called landmark Provincial Ordinance 2023-02, which orders all NGAs and GOCCs to adhere to the Sections 2(c), 25(b), 26 and 27 of Republic Act 7160 by coordinating, consulting, and involving the province of Cebu in the planning and implementation of its programs, projects, and policies.
Sections 2(c) of the RA 7160 requires all national agencies and offices to conduct periodic consultations with appropriate local government units before any project or program is implemented in their respective jurisdictions.
Section 25(b) ensures the participation of any local government units in the planning and implementation of any national projects.
Undersecretary Leonardo Roy Cervantes, chief of staff of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, noted that some government departments do not coordinate with the Provincial Government when implementing their projects.
According to Sugbo News report, all officials of NGAs and GOCCs present agreed to support the ordinance, claiming that having access to Capitol inputs will make it easier for them to carry out their programs and projects.
“There’s a thirst for collaboration. In fact, ang dating, welcome sa kanila yung makipag-usap sa Provincial Government. Yun naman yung thrust nung ordinance. We see that need for collaboration, coordination,” Cervante said.
On Tuesday, April 25, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Secretary Anton Lagdameo Jr. of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President also expressed support to the ordinance during their visit to the governor at the Capitol.
The ordinance was approved by the Provincial Board on April 4 and signed into a provincial law by Garcia on April 5.
The governor wants to arrange for national programs and projects to be carried down to the local level in order to avoid repeating poor implementations such as on UN Avenue in Mandaue City that gave rise to the Provincial Ordinance 2003-02 and the Bureau of Animal Industry’s (BAI) policy to cull pigs within a 500-meter radius where the African Swine Fever (ASF) is detected.
Garcia claimed they are merely doing their share to safeguard the P11 billion hog industry in Cebu from BAI's culling policy, which could have reduced the availability of local meat products in the province. (PAC/TPT)