Governor Davide raises awareness on Cebu, PPP projects

JICA support sought for proposed new road map on entire Cebu province

Gov. Hilario Davide III

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III was able to raise awareness about investment opportunities in Cebu, including potential public-private partnership (PPP) projects, during his trip to Japan.

The governor also sought the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the conduct of another road map that will cover the entire province, a Capitol consultant said.

The new study will include the 38 towns and cities that were not covered by the recently completed road map for Mega Cebu.

READ: Mega Cebu road map needs Metro Authority to steer it | Davide: No town, city will be left out of development

Capitol consultant Jing Lachica, who was with the Cebu delegation to Japan, said the governor presented potential PPP projects during the 10th International Public Private Partnership (PPP) forum organized by Toyo University in Tokyo.

Among these are the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) research center and the redevelopment of the Cebu South Bus Terminal and other province-owned prime properties.

PPP Professor Sam Tabuchi of Toyo University invited Davide to become a member of the Asia PPP Institute (APPI). Membership in the institute will give Cebu more opportunities to invite PPP investors, Lachica said.

On their second day in Japan, the governor spoke with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, UN official Dr. Jeffrey Hamilton and some Japanese businessmen about the possible PPP projects in Cebu.

Governor Davide also led other Cebu officials in visits to Toshima in Tokyo and Yokohama City, where they met with businessmen and potential investors.

“We were able to increase awareness on Cebu among the Japanese investors and strengthen our relationships with them. We hope they will continue to look at opportunities and invest in Cebu,” said Lachica.

In Yokohama City, Davide spoke with 14 owners and representatives of companies engaged in recycling, among others. Lachica said the governor cited opportunities in water treatment and recycling in Cebu.

The group also met with Saitama Vice Governor Osamu Shiokawa and 11 Japanese businessmen who were into cardboard shipping, manufacturing, engineering, and electronics.

Lachica said they invited the Japanese businessmen to consider Cebu and assured them that the province will help nurture their businesses here.

They also established contact with Saitama Industrial Promotion Public Corp., which provides assistance to Saitama-based small and medium businesses.

Governor Davide also met with Chodai Company Limited president Yasuji Nagaya. Chodai has set up operations in Butuan and is planning to expand its operations.

At the JICA headquarters, Governor Davide sought the support of JICA vice-president Toshiyuki Kuroyanagi for an expanded road map for Cebu to include all the towns and cities.

“The governor wanted to grow Mega Cebu, ang (the) roadmap. The governor requested JICA to include the entire Cebu. They would support the expansion of the study. Not only the 13 cities and municipalities, but all 44 towns and seven component cities will be covered,” Lachica said.

The road map completed by JICA covers only the 13 cities and municipalities included in Mega Cebu.

Lachica said a proposal for JICA to conduct a new study covering the entire province was approved by the Provincial Development Council (PDC) and the Regional Development Council (RDC) last May.

“Hopefully, by early next year, the study will be conducted,” said Lachica.

Governor Davide is expected to return to the Capitol this afternoon. Getting National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) approval for the new study is first on his to-do list, Lachica said.

Others who accompanied the governor were Provincial Board members Peter John Calderon,  Christopher Baricuatro and Jude Thaddeus Sybico, as well as Sogod Mayor Liza Marie Durano-Streegan, her husband Sogod Vice Mayor Richard Streegan, Samboan Mayor Raymund Joseph Calderon and Cebu investment promotions office head Benjamin Joseph Yap.