SEN. Alan Peter Cayetano said he will support the transfer of the Department of Tourism’s central office to Cebu.
In a visit to Cebu yesterday, Cayetano said transferring the DOT and other offices to the province will decongest Manila and spur economic activities and government funding into other parts of the country.
He wanted to pursue an earlier suggestion by former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to transfer the tourism head office to Cebu.
“I want to push the envelope and force the issue because in every election there’s a good idea but it’s not continued. Bakit hindi natin gawin ngayon pa lang (Why don’t we do it now)?” Cayetano said.
Cayetano was speaker during the “Ten” Dahang Karnabal Sari Sari Store Festival organized by Prince Warehouse Club.
Less congested
He later met with reporters for a noontime press conference.
Cayetano will be back in Cebu tomorrow to dialog with Cebu provincial officials and ask for updates on the implementation of national government-funded projects and programs.
Cayetano told reporters the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) will also be better off if it is relocated to Clark, which is an hour away from Metro Manila.
He said Clark has an airport, highways and other infrastructure needed to operate DOTC.
Cayetano said Manila will be less congested if they only retained Malacañang Palace, senate and congressional offices, Department of Foreign Affairs and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Coalesce
Cayetano said these ideas were pattered after the Promdi program and Federalism plans of former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña and Arroyo’s Malacañang sa South program.
When asked about his election plans, Cayetano said he is sure that he won’t align himself with Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Cayetano said corruption is contrary to his “Tunay na Pagbabago” campaign slogan.
“The Nacionalista Party will be willing to coalesce and talk to any group but not corruption issues. We have one or two members who are close to the vice president but in general, we do not want to associate ourselves with corruption,” he said in a press conference.
Cayetano admitted that part of his Cebu visits are made to consult with friends on his election plans.
While he considers running for president in next year’s election, Cayetano said, he has not yet reached a final decision that will depend mainly on survey results.
Re-election
He was also open to postponing his plans in 2022 and seek re-election for senator next year.
If considered to run for vice president, Cayetano said he will choose a presidential candidate who will consider him a “partner” in running the government.
“Right now the focus of Nacionalista is to strengthen the party and its members. After the final assessment we will decide if we should go alone or coalesce with another party,” he said.
Las Piñas Rep. Mark Villar, another NP member, said earlier that their group’s coalition with the Liberal Party terminates when President Benigno Aquino III ends his term.
Cayetano said to date, NP didn’t have any formal talks with other political parties for a possible coalition. But they do not discount another coalition with LP.
“I can support maybe Grace Poe, Mar Roxas or Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and I’ll share my views. I cannot consider Vice President Binay because of corruption issues,” he said.
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