MCDCB stakeholders renew commitment for Mega Cebu

Stakeholders of the Mega Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) yesterday entered into an agreement to signify their renewal of commitment and support to the activities laid down by the body.

“As we renew our faith during this Lenten season, we would also like to renew our commitment, cooperation, and collaboration in pursuit of what we would like Mega Cebu to be in the coming years,” National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 7 Director Efren Carreon said in his welcome speech.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III, MCDCB chairman; Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, co-chairman for the public sector; Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) President Roberto Aboitiz, co-chair for the private sector; several metro Cebu mayors, and representatives from national government agencies signed the memorandum of agreement yesterday at the Eduaro Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) plenary hall.

Carreon added the signing comes in time with the completion of the Road Map Study for Sustainable Urban Development in Metro Cebu on April 8.

Launched last Nov. 13, 2013, the study is undertaken by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With the completion of the roadmap study, Carreon said that MCDCB will be embarking on the next stages of project development—resource mobilization, negotiation and eventually, implementation.

This means that the board will have to start looking for funding from national government agencies or international funding agencies to be poured into big ticket projects.

Among the priority sectors of the roadmap study include the improvement of public transport system, enhancement of road networks, management of solid waste, and management of water.

The study is expected to draw up detailed action plans based on the “Mega Cebu Vision 2050.”

Mega Cebu Vision 2050 is an urban development vision and cooperation among the seven cities and six towns comprising Metro Cebu that show heavy concentration of development, urbanization and economic growth.

Aboitiz, during his speech, said that the road toward that vision is not easy and has not been.

“It will require will, talent, and courage to be able to face challenges in front of us,” he said.

He said that what encouraged him to continue participating in the MCDCB is the determination and unwilling-to-give-up spirit of all that comprise it.

Aboitiz confidently said that the Mega Cebu vision is well on its way and that “continued commitment and courage” are required to succeed.