Capitol, city execs unite

CEBU, Philippines — Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that the provincial and city governments need to cooperate with each other to boost economic progress that will benefit Cebu and the Cebuanos.

In her speech during the Unity and Solidarity Dinner, the governor said that it has been a long-time dream among Cebuanos, both from the private and public sectors, to see their respective leaders in the province and the city united.

Garcia was a governor for nine years from 2004 to 2013 and back again as governor in 2019. While Tomas Osmeña was then Cebu City mayor from 2001 to 2010 and back to the position from 2017 to 2010.

In those years that Garcia was the governor and Osmeña was the mayor at the same time, they were at odds and criticized each other on several issues including the land swap deal.

Although Cebu City is the capital of the province, its residents are not voting for governor, vice governor and provincial board members based on its charter as a highly-urbanized city.

But the other night's gathering saw Garcia and Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, together with several city and provincial officials, united.

Both are friends.

Another proof of the unity of these two local government units is the recently concluded Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which was held at the Cebu City Sports Center where thousands of spectators, mostly coming from the different parts of the province, witnessed the event.

The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo was last seen six years ago as there was none when Hilario Davide III became governor in 2013 to 2019.

Davide, who is now the vice governor, in his welcome message, said that the unity between the province and the city is what is best for Cebu and the Cebuano community.

The Unity and Solidarity gathering culminates the month-long celebration of the province's 450th founding anniversary.

The event was attended by Cebu's representatives, provincial and city officials, town and city mayors, friends of the governor, judiciary officials, law enforcement and other officials coming from the different government agencies, and some representatives from the private sector and business sector.

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino, Presidential Legislative Liaison Secretary Adelino Sitoy, former Cebu Fourth District Representative Benhur Salimbangon, businessman Carlos Yeung and his wife Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung also graced the event. (FREEMAN)