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Leadership 29 May 2008 |
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At the 4th National
Infrastructure Forum in Cebu last week, our International Development
Partners, speaking through AusAID counselor Sam Zappia, talked of
leadership as key to the success of many government programs. By leadership, of course, he meant the persistence to cut through bureaucratic snags, and the determination to address and resolve issues related to project implementation. Notorious among such issues is RROW or the Road Right of Way, that has stalled some of our strategic projects. While US-AID Mission Director Jon Lindborg commended "great progress" in the overall performance of our infrastructure program at the 3rd Infra Forum in Davao, Mr. Zappia lauded government’s leadership at the forum in Cebu. Government, according to Mr. Zappia, is showing leadership in the work of our team under the Pro-Performance System Steering Committee. He was one of several reactors to our presentation of the 149 priority infrastructure projects, 20 of which have already been completed, with 37 more to be completed by the end of this year. In Central Philippines, we have 52 priority infra projects, which is just a shade more than the national count of 149. This is comprised largely of ports and airports and major roadways, for easy and affordable access to the region’s tourist destinations. The Central Philippines Super Region is touted as the country’s tourism hub or center, given its long coast line of white sand, pristine beaches, historical and cultural sites, and vibrant urban centers like Cebu City. Two new airports were recently inaugurated, in Iloilo and Bacolod-Silay, and the groundbreaking for an international airport in Panglao Island in Bohol was headlined by the President herself just two days before our forum. This new international gateway will complement the Mactan Airport, and will open Bohol and its many sights (The Chocolate Hills are very much in the running for the World Wonders List) and attractions like the tarsiers to the major tourist markets. Bohol’s Governor Rico Aumentado was also one of our reactors, representing the local government units, and he reiterated the commitment of the LGUs to our infra programs. If there is anyone who can speak with authority on the advantages and value of close cooperation between the LGU and national government, it is Governor Aumentado. Bohol is host to many major infra projects — the scenic and beautiful Bohol Circumferential Road, major irrigation, various RoRo ports — and Gov. Aumentado has rescued Bohol from the 20 poorest list, to post it among the most progressive provinces. Bohol is an inspiring turn-around story, from being rebel-infested to tourist-infested. My good friend Dr. Edward Gaisano, President of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce took time to deliver the response from the private sector, and I took advantage of the presence of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process and Press Secretary-designate Jess Dureza, to brief us on peace and security. In the past, he said, it was an either-or situation for peace and development, based on conventional thinking that development will come only after peace reigns. Under the Social Integration Program or SIP, he said, government will do both, at the same time. As to his forthcoming watch at the Press Office, he promised Cebu media that he would be doing his own forums with them, to bring the Press Office even closer to the countryside media. Spoken like a card-carrying member of the community press. The infra forum in Cebu drew an impressive attendance, going by our first three forums. The issues raised on the floor were tougher, but the concerns were all addressed by the line agencies present. Even the concern for transparency in project implementation was addressed by the chairman of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) herself, Dr. Constancia P. De Guzman, who was gracious enough to join our forum. Our next forum will be in the North Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle area. We all look forward to that next round. |
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