BEING a “man of few words”, Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III will deliver a “short yet precise” State of the Province Address (SOPA) today at the session hall of the Provincial Capitol, his ally in the Provincial Board said yesterday.
Board member Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez said she was told that the governor’s SOPA, called “Report to the People” (RTTP), will last 20 minutes.
“It would be short and concise yet precise, which reflects his personality,” she told Cebu Daily News.
Cebu’s 44 municipal mayors and seven city mayors, congressmen and representatives of nongovernment organizations were invited to witness the SOPA, said Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera.
It was Davide who chose to hold the address in the session hall at the Capitol’s legislative building, said Natera, to show respect to his “teammates” in the legislative branch headed by Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.
Natera added that this is ideal, since the report is for the constituents whom the board members represent. “In principle, the local chief executive should deliver his accomplishment report to us, his teammates in the legislative branch,” she said, adding, “That’s the striking difference compared to the previous administration, this symbolizes his great respect for us, his team members.”
Former Cebu governor and now 3rd District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia had used the Capitol Social Hall for her SOPA. Her last address, which was in 2012, was held at the plenary hall of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).
Davide’s report is the only agenda in today’s session which will be adjourned immediately after the governor’s report.
Sanchez said mayors from Tuburan, Barili and Alegria, who are all members of the Liberal Party along with the governor, will attend.
She also received word that Toledo City Mayor John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña will be present, as well as Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro.
“We don’t have the final number yet but most of the mayors have already confirmed their attendance,” said James Canoy, a staff member at the governor’s office.
Medellin Mayor Ricardo “Ricky” Ramirez of One Cebu Party said yesterday that he was still not sure he could attend because of other official work-related commitments.
“I have a lot of things to do here but if I can finish everything before lunch, I might go,” Ramirez said in a text message.