Education, health care top candidates’ pledges
EDUCATION, infrastructure and health services are among the common programs that 10 candidates from both Cebu Province and Cebu City are willing to champion.
Among the more specific campaign promises they made in a forum yesterday are a proposal to push for a shift to the jury system, a sewage treatment system for Cebu City, and the creation of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) candidates did not attend the Candidates Fora 2013 sponsored by the Mega Cebu proponents and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.
This did not escape south district congressional candidate Aristotle Batuhan, who said that it would have been better if the other candidate, referring to Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa, were also there to present his vision for Cebu.
The main question raised by the forum was “What is your vision of growth for Cebu?”
A few controversial issues were also brought up during the open forum of the event, held at the Cebu Cultural Center.
Rep. Pablo John Garcia (Cebu Province, third district) was asked what he would do about the former Balili property if he is elected governor. He said: “The Balili property is now an economic zone where a waste-to-energy facility was proposed... It would create jobs for people in the south district.”
He pointed out that since the suspension of his sister Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia last Dec. 19, the project was proposed to be transferred to a place closer to the bailiwick of Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale. Magpale is running for vice governor on May 13.
Most of the candidates said they agreed with the need for local governments to work together.
Garcia pointed out the Local Government Code empowers local governments to decide together on policies and programs, and that he saw no need to wait for Congress to create a superbody for Metro Cebu.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was asked about the South Road Properties (SRP), a project more identified with his opponent, Rep. Tomas Osmeña (Cebu City, south district).
But Rama said the SRP does not belong to one person.
“Make all councilors under Team Rama win and we can discuss the SRP and establish the SRP office,” said Rama, who has had to work with a council whose majority is allied with Osmeña.
On the issue of privatization of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC), Councilor Edgardo Labella, who is running for vice mayor, said the city hospital is better now than the previous administration.
While he did not close his doors to the possibility of privatization, Labella said the bottom line for private hospitals is money. Instead of privatization, more equipment for the City’s hospital would be more appropriate, he said.
Like Batuhan, congressional candidates Donato Navarro, a former judge, and former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 director Florencio Villarin favor the abolition of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
Former prosecutor Vicente Mañalac said he would try to legislate a shift to the jury system if he wins, saying this would hasten the resolution of cases.
Too many
It was former judge Navarro who also raised the importance of a sewage system for Cebu City.
He also raised the need for a mass transport system and supports the proposed Bus Rapid Transport (BRT). Vice gubernatorial candidate Glenn Soco vowed to propose a light railway transport (LRT) system in the Province and a transport study.
As to flyovers, Batuhan said, “We have one too many.”
Asked whether he had plans to help those who cannot afford to proceed to college, Mañalac said there is no need for additional years in high school because Filipino students are “the best in the world.”
Responding to the same question, Garcia said the Provincial Government, under his administration, would support local government units in creating community colleges.
It was the third of a series of forums, which the organizers pitched as “conversations with candidates.”
When asked for a “big idea” for Metro Cebu, gubernatorial candidate Hermilito Bulala said he would push for more cooperation.