Politicians’ foresight

Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Antonio V. Omeña

Estatements

CEBU'S economic prosperity is due mainly to the entrepreneurship of its inhabitants, coupled with the foresight of our politicians, like Serging Osmeña Jr. who conceptualized the construction of the Cebu-Mactan bridge, the transfer of the Lahug airport to Mactan Island, the development of the North Reclamation Area with the provision of international harbor facilities.

It was Serging who first conceptualized the South Reclamation Properties but he prioritized the North Reclamation Area instead because of the then proposed international port, which was protected by Mactan island from disastrous monsoon wind. But martial law brought down the political leadership of Serging.

Observers are concerned about the lack of foresight or the failure to execute foresight among leaders and members of business, civic, religious and professional organizations to ensure sustainable development for Cebu.

The foresight of then Gov. Emilio Osmena to bid out the 40-hectare provincial lot occupied by the golf course of Club Filipino triggered the entry of Manila-based companies to invest in Cebu.

The concept of Vice Gov. Sanchez to build a super highway traversing Cebu’s hinterlands, connecting Daanbantayan in the north and Santander in the south shows foresight that would create tremendous economic benefits to Cebuanos.

Such foresight, however, is absent among Metro Cebu leaders who cannot even agree on having a common sanitary landfill. The rapid urbanization of the island of Cebu demands the consolidation of some towns and cities for a common sanitary landfill.

The lack of foresight to widen city roads and construct thousands of miles of roads is now the major cause of traffic snarls.

The unlimited mobility of automobiles is a major cause of urban sprawl that characterizes the highly decentralized cities of our country today. The city roads in Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Cebu and Talisay were designed—and remain, to date—for horse-drawn carriages. If not for national roads, traffic would be at a standstill in these cities.

Cebu City should construct more roads leading to Talamban since its hinterland has become a favorite location for residential subdivisions.

SQUABBLING LEADERS. The non-political leaders in Cebu have been complacent amid the bitter political positioning of Mayor Tomas Osmeña against Gov. Gwen Garcia, his brother and other personalities.

Analysts find no logic in stopping economic development in the Banilad area due to traffic snarls. Traffic snarls can be studied and remedied, whereas controlling economic development—by way of prohibiting commercial real estate development—affects employment opportunities in the area that was once a friar land.

The Cebu City Council wants friar land lot owners to cease from undertaking any development for commercial usage. In retaliation to the unreasonable policy of Cebu City Hall, Gov. Gwen Garcia and brother Rep. Pablo John Garcia found it convenient to question the business transactions in the South Reclamation Properties, which has caused Cebu City tremendous debt.

When will Cebu ever have political peace? Since the early 1950s and until today, Cebu’s political leaders continue to squabble like children. The only time there was silence was during the Marcos dictatorship when all politicians had to toe the line.