PNoy stresses on public accountability for good governance during Cebu visit
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, July 7 (PIA) -- President Bengino S. Aquino III once again reiterated his campaign promise of “Tawid na Daan” in a visit to Cebu this morning stressing on accountability of public officials for any illegal activities happening in their areas of responsibility.
Aquino who was in Cebu to grace the 64th birthday of Danao City Vice Mayor Ramonito Durano III, cited the massive illegal logging in Mindanao where he ordered six mayors to explain why they should not be charged of a crime that happened right in their own areas.
The President said it is unacceptable for these local chief executives to reason that did not know what is going on right in their own jurisdiction. Names of the mayors were not identified.
In his visit to the said area in Mindanao last year, Aquino said the place boasts of abundant trees. But in a visit three weeks ago, he got a shock where once many forest trees stood were no longer there due to massive tree-cutting.
EO 23 which Aquino issued in February last year imposed an indefinite ban on illegal logging which he said, was the major cause of widespread landslides and flooding resulting to numerous deaths and damages to properties.
If they (mayors) did not know what was happening, then they must be absentee mayors, scoffed the President.
According to the President, the provincial and city police director and six other police chiefs were suspended for their alleged involvement in the illegal logging activities. Thirty-one DENR officials were likewise made accountable for failing to curb illegal logging despite the ban.
Government is bent on cracking down illegal loggers in the country.
Aquino then reiterated and stressed on fulfilling his campaign promise of “Tuwid Na Daan” where he said the relentless battle against graft and corruption continues and that reforms are needed to lift the country out of poverty coupled with equity and justice.
During his visit, the President witnessed the official signing of the coalition agreement between the Liberal Party (LP) and the Durano’s local Bakud party. The main signatories were LP President Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas and Rep. Ramon “Red” Durano VI.
Apart from Roxas, other cabinet secretaries seen were Interior and Local Government Sec. Jesse Robredo, Energy Sec. Rene Almendras, and Budget Sec. Florencio Abad.
Over 500 people attended the event comprised mostly of local officials mainly from the 5th District of Cebu and other LP local officials.
Pres. Aquino stayed only for slightly over an hour before departing back to Manila. (PIA 7, Cebu)