Pam says turning down RDC chairmanship nomination an act of statesmanship

Local

GIVING way, she insisted, is not a sign of weakness.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said she chose to step aside from the nomination for chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7) as a deliberate act of statesmanship, prioritizing unity over position.

Baricuatro was nominated along with Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival during the RDC’s first full council and organizational meeting for the 2025–2028 term on Thursday, August 28.

The meeting also marked the start of nominations for leadership roles across six committees of the council.

“Thank you so much for the nomination. Howeer, I would like to give way to the nomination of Mayor Nestor Archival for the sake of unity ug panaghiusa as the people’s governor,” Baricuatro told the council.

In her separate message to the people of Cebu, she explained that her priority remained in strengthening the provincial government before pursuing wider regional responsibilities.

She said that leadership meant fixing the “home base” first and delivering on promises of transparent, clean, and accountable governance.

“If intuition tells you that a fellow official is determined to win the seat and blocking him would divide Cebu, I would rather see him take that role than risk unwarranted strife that harms our unity. Cebu deserves unity first,” she said.

Following Baricuatro’s decision, Archival accepted the nomination to represent Cebu City.

Aumentado, the outgoing chair, expressed gratitude for once again being nominated, describing the chance as an opportunity to continue guiding the region’s development.

The chairmanship of the RDC is a powerful regional post, shaping priorities for infrastructure, economic policy, and social development.

The body serves as a bridge between local governments and the national administration, tasked with securing funding, coordinating policy, and ensuring projects are aligned with the region’s growth strategy.

The RDC 7 is composed of national and local government officials as well as private sector representatives. It functions as the highest policy-making body for socio-economic development in Central Visayas and serves as the regional counterpart of the Department of Development, formerly known as the National Economic and Development Authority.

Private sector nominees were also announced, including Argeo Melisimo of Bohol and Melanie Ng of Cebu, who will represent business and civic interests in the council’s work.

Ultimately, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will decide who among the nominees will serve as chair.(MyTVCebu)