Davide hits detractors in inaugural speech

CEBU, Philippines - Re-elected Governor Hilario Davide III lambasted his political detractors who claim that his administration has done nothing for Cebu.

Davide, in his 24-minute inaugural speech yesterday after he took his oath before his cousin-in-law, Court of Appeals Justice Japar Dimaampao, enumerated his accomplishments to prove them wrong.

 "As we work hard and deliver the fruits of our 6-Key Development Agenda, we were almost sidetracked by intense, malicious personal attacks on our administration by some of our fellow Cebuanos who wish for us not to succeed," he said.

 His 6-key Development Agenda includes Healthcare and Social Services; Basic Education, Technical and Vocational Training; Countryside Development, Food Security and Agriculture; Infrastructure, Tourism, Investments, Trade, and Culture; Environmental Protection, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change; and Law and Order.

 "Ang gibalik-balik nga issue mao ang Davide Administration walay nabuhat sa unang termino. Tinood wala kita'y nabuhat nga pangurakot kay atong punay gihuna-huna nga kining atong pagserbisyo dili para sa atong kaugalingong pagpalambo kun dili pagpalambo sa atong gipang-alagaran," he added.

 On the top of Davide's agenda are the healthcare and social services. He vowed to continue upgrading the hospitals and health facilities in the province to better deliver services especially to indigent patients in far-flung areas.

Under his administration, 10 of the 16 provincial and district hospitals were upgraded from primary care facility to level-one status which enabled them to perform major surgical operations.

 However, only four provincial hospitals maintained their status last year because the other facilities reportedly failed to meet the new requirements set by the licensing office of the Department of Health.

 These hospitals are in the cities of Bogo, Danao and Carcar. The one in Balamban was upgraded last year.

He said he would continue delivering quality and accessible health care services by ensuring that indigents confined in government hospitals are enrolled in PhilHealth.

 In terms of education, Davide said the province's scholarship program would remain in place. The province now has 805 scholars, 132 of whom already graduated college, 87 were academic awardees, 79 graduated as cum laude, and eight as magna cum laude.

 He said the province's special education fund was also increased from P115 million to almost P200 million this year. He said the fund would be poured on the construction of additional classrooms and procurement of books.

 Realization of flagship infrastructure plans for the province will also be pushed.

 Davide again mentioned the trans-axial highway plan which remains under study but already got the endorsement of the Regional Development Council.

 He has given also emphasis on establishing more seaports in Minglanilla, Bogo City and Santander and airports in Bantayan and Camotes to complement his countryside development plan; and development for the solar energy farms and solid waste management.

 He encouraged private firms and businessmen to pour in investments in different towns and cities in the province.

 Davide warned drug traffickers as the province supports the nationwide fight against illegal drugs.

Davide said the Seal of Good Local Governance conferred to the province by the Department of the Interior and Local Government proves that his administration has done well in financial housekeeping, disaster preparedness, social protection, business friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management and peace and order.  (FREEMAN)