Congressman Cerilles was seated beside Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCO) chairperson-undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, Sr. together with Governor Aurora E. Cerilles and City Mayor Samuel Co as hosts for the first ever Mindanao-wide inter-agency meeting for Super Regions at Hotel Alindahaw, this city last July 1.

Leyretana in presiding over the meeting emphasized that he intently hold the inter-agency meeting for Mindanao Super Regions in various parts of Mindanao for local officials and other stakeholders to be abreast of the undertakings of President Arroyo for Mindanao.

Leyretana said the President is keen to know the impact of Super Regions to Mindanaonons as she is due to deliver her SONA this July.

As the meeting continued, Cerilles opined, “MEDCO is trying to arrange development in Mindanao so we can compete with Luzon and Visayas while being perceived as a troubled island. 

He who brings the voice of Zambosurians to Lower House with whom Leyretana regarded him as few of the pillars of Mindanao development Cerilles told regional directors from regions IX, X, XI, XII and Caraga region: “we have to plan for Mindanao properly.” 

Cerilles emphasized that in planning, population must be considered most.  “We should look into the poverty incidence in the island; the disparity between the poor and rich,” he said.

“We should not be afraid of the church to say something about reproductive health since Philippines has only 30-Million hectares while its population has already reached to 90-Million,” Cerilles said.

As Asst. Secretary for Agriculture Roger Chiu reported the updates of farm-to-market roads implemented from 2007-2009, Cerilles suggested that Mindanao should adopt its own Land Use Code to know the exact number of irrigated lands from non-irrigated lands and which areas suitable for rubber, banana, and other high value commercial crops so that government’s money are not wasted.

Leyretana agreed to Cerilles’ stand, saying that at present, Medco has no data how many thousands of hectares are irrigable and irrigated in Mindanao and which are not.  

Cerilles, who once served as DENR secretary has authored House Bill 03175 an act institutionalizing a national land use policy and providing framework and mechanic in implementing thereof.   The bill is still pending.

He further suggested to create a Mindanao Development Authority (a planning group) separate from Luzon and Visayas with designated representative who will sit at NEDA (National Economic Development Authority) Board.

Cerilles observed that most of the cabinet secretaries come from Luzon do not see the real problem in Mindanao which is a multi-ethnic island different from Luzon and Visayas.

“The reason why President Arroyo created the Mindanao Super Regions is for us to be connected,” he pointed out.

Talking about connectivity, Cerilles is also the principal author for establishment of Mindanao Railway System.  He asserted its economic feasibility for Mindanao but he find difficulty in pushing its realization as it entails huge amount of money.

“If we sign a manifesto declaring that the people in Mindanao are greatly in need of the railway system that connects the highly urbanized cities in Mindanao would help us realize this,” he suggested. (Remai S. Alejado/Zambosur Press Bureau)

Last update: 22-07-2009 17:12