Davide’s address realistic, say officials

CEBU officials congratulated Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III for his administration’s accomplishments for the province in the past two years during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) last Thursday.

“His accomplishments cannot be refuted,” Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said.

Both Rama and Davide served in the Cebu City Council for several years with Rama as then vice mayor and Davide as city councilor.

The mayor said any administration cannot do much without the support of other officials and their constituents.

Rama said it was wise of the governor to give due credit to Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale.

“The province and the city have many  projects that need to be done hand in hand. Together we can make things happen for the province of Cebu,” Rama said.

At least 40 Cebu mayors, mostly LP members, their vice mayors, government line agency directors, attended the SOPA.

Provincial Board (PB) members Julian Daan, Raul Alcoseba, and Thadeo Ouano were not present.

Guests included former Cebu City congressman Tomas Osmeña, whom Davide calls his mentor,  Cebu 2nd District Rep. Willie Caminero, and Cebu City North District Rep. Raul del Mar.

Cebu PB Member Sun Shimura of the opposition One Cebu party, said everything Davide mentioned in his address was true and realistic.

“Realistic tanan iyang nahisgutan. Our barangays were given assistance. Even  in our office,  we were given a piece of the development fund of the governor,” he said.

Shimura said barangay officials should file a resolution in the PB so the governor can release funds directly to them from the province’s 20 percent development fund.

Naga City Mayor Val Chiong of the Alayon Party, said Davide accomplished much without fanfare.

“What he has done was not that visible to the people,” he said, citing  the Farmer-Scientists Training program which he said helped Naga farmers.