Some mayors of neighboring towns of Dumaguete City are now clamoring for the reactivation of the "Metro Dumaguete" to coordinate efforts in addressing common concerns.

The Metro Dumaguete was organized in 1995 by Dumaguete Mayor Agustin Perdices and former mayors Edgar Teves of Valencia and Enrique Jariol of Sibulan, and Lenin Alviola of Bacong, through a memorandum of agreement.

Under this concept, localities coordinated with each other such areas of transportation, agriculture, infrastructure, and peace and order.

But when Perdices ended his first three terms and Teves became vice governor of Oriental Negros, both in 1998, and with Jariol no longer the mayor of Sibulan, the Metro Dumaguete temporarily ceased to function.

This was, however, reactivated when Perdices was again elected mayor in 200l. That year, Sibulan and Valencia had new mayors in Antonio Renacia and Rodolfo Gonzales, respectively, who, including Alviola, were also supportive of the concept.

"It had helped a lot in institutionalizing some mechanisms designed to address our common needs and concerns. Such that, because of Metro Dumaguete, passenger tricycles in Sibulan were allowed to enter Dumaguete and those from Dumaguete were allowed to enter Sibulan," Renacia said.

Valencia Mayor Rodolfo Gonzales said Metro Dumaguete is a fact and its members should coordinate with each other.

But Renacia noted that, little by little, the significance of Metro Dumaguete was appreciated only when problem that needs the attention of its members cropped up. He said he, Perdices and Gonzales are now serving their third terms and could do if the metropolitan concept is revived.

Informed of Renacia and Gonzales' request, Perdices said he ask Reps. George Arnaiz (Second District) and Pryde Henry Teves (First District) for their support.

He also said that he will propose the inclusion of the towns of San Jose and Amlan in the second district and the town of Dauin in the third district in Metro Dumaguete.*RA

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