RDC endorses anew Cebu City's waste disposal project

The Central Visayas Regional Development Council in its full council meeting yesterday in Dumaguete City re-endorsed the Cebu City Project on Equipment for Solid Waste Disposal to the Japan International Cooperation Agency for funding.

This time, the RDC endorsed the project for funding under the Government of Japan Fiscal Year 2008 Grant Aid Program and no longer to GOJ FY 2007 Technical Cooperation Program.

One of the projects endorsed by the RDC to the National Economic Development Authority Public Investment Staff for funding assistance under the GOJ FY 2007 Technical Cooperation Program was the request of the Cebu City government for equipment for Solid Waste Disposal.

The RDC determined the proposal to be supportive of the development thrust of the region as enunciated in the Central Visayas Medium-Term Regional Development Plan.

NEDA assistant director-general Rolando Tungpalan informed RDC chairman, Oriental Negros Governor George Arnaiz in a letter dated August 31, that the request of the LGU of Cebu city for equipment was not endorsed because the project was not eligible for assistance under Japan's Individual Technical Cooperation.

The ITC only accepts requests for equipment in the medical and health sector.

Tungpalan advised the proponent to submit the proposal under the GOJ Grant Aid Program.

In a letter dated September 18, Mayor Tomas Osmeña resubmitted the proposal to NEDA this time for funding assistance under the GOJ Grant Aid Program.

Since the project is proposed for funding under another scheme, the GOJ Grant Aid Program, the previous RDC endorsement of the project is deemed void.

The RDC has found the need to reendorse the project to NEDA and JICA this time for funding assistance. - Gregg M. Rubio