Capitol, RAFI Launch Upgraded Our Cebu Program
Gov. Hilario P. Davide III and Vice Gov. Agnes A. Magpale led the launching of the Our Cebu Program version 2.0 (OCP V2.0), as part of the kick-off ceremonies of the 449th founding anniversary of the Cebu Province last Monday.
Under OCP V2.0, the assessment and evaluation of each local government unit (LGU) will now be development-oriented rather than competition-driven.
In the previous OCP, cash incentives were only given to top performing LGUs, and the budget then was P9 million.
With the new version, the Province has allocated P28.75 million for cash incentives and development assistance.
“Ranking LGUs will not anymore apply this time, but the LGU itself will be measured on its own standard and criteria, which means, it has to compete only to itself,” said Davide in a speech during the program launch, which is now on its 5th year under the Davide-Magpale administration.
Magpale, OCP project manager, said evaluators will be using the rubric method for assessment in the form of matrix, which interprets and grades LGUs’ work against its own criteria and standards with high level of objectivity.
“We can help bring out the best in every LGU and achieve our dream of making our Cebu a province truly wholesome and sustainable to live, work, play, invest and do business,” said Magpale.
There will also be mentors for every LGU where technical coaching and assistance will be provided to improve performance.
Senator Cynthia Villar, who was the event’s speaker and honored guest, said she was happy with the six attributes, among others, that will be used in gauging the performance of the LGUs.
In the OCP V2.0, Magpale said that these attributes are livability, inclusiveness and competitiveness, clean and green, culture and heritage, governance, and resiliency.
The vice governor said these attributes are aligned with the Six-Key Development Agenda of the governor, which are countryside development; infrastructure, tourism and investment; environment, climate change; education and technical vocational; law and order; and health and social services.
“I am glad that environmental protection, climate change and disaster risk management are among the Six-Key Development Agenda of your province,” said Villar.
In her speech, Villar announced that a newly-signed law has introduced 94 new protected areas in the country, which included Cebu’s Olango Island.
She said that last June 22 President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS) or Republict Act 11038, whom Villar authored, increasing the number of protected areas as it also recognizes conservation areas and the management regimes of local government units, indigenous people and other stakeholders for the establishment and management of protected areas.
“So I am with your province in protecting our natural resources and protected areas,” said Villar.
Villar is the current chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
The OCP, in partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), was adopted as an institutional mechanism to measure the performance of the Province’s 50 LGUs and to encourage local leaders to carry out good governance practices. (CEBU PROV. GOV’T)
