Cebu City 1 of 8 dream cities in RP

Cebu City has been selected as one of the eight most promising cities, also known as "dream cities," in the country by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia during the presentation and recognition rites at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La last August 10.

Along with Cebu City are Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Calbayog City in Samar, Iloilo City, Naga City in the Bicol Region, Marikina City in Metro Manila, Samal Island City, and San Fernando City in La Union.

The mayors of these cities, namely Tomas Osmeña, Mary Jane C. Ortega, Dan Neri Lim, Mel Sarmiento, Jesse Robredo, Rogelio Antalan, Jerry Trenas, and Lourdes Fernando were also recognized as the first batch of ISA fellows who committed to pursue the plans they have laid out for their cities.

Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao, chairman of ISA, said the selection process was based on realistic goals in terms of local management, delivery of basic services, education and infrastructure, among others, which were presented by representatives of cities nationwide.

During the event, city administrator Francisco "Bimbo" Fernandez showed Cebu, in a powerpoint presentation, as the "Most Livable City in Asia by 2015."

He showed Cebu City's plans to make it the most peaceful, cleanest and greenest city, aside from making it among the best-known business and tourism centers in Asia.

Fernandez further outlined the cities programs to give its constituents the most efficient delivery of basic services, transportation and communications systems, employment opportunities, and an internationally competitive quality of education.

The ISA finally chose these eight cities as the "dream cities", which could fulfill the application of the Public Governance System (PGS), within five to 10 years from now.

The PGS is a performance measurement tool that was a public sector adaptation of the corporate "balanced scorecard" principle, used by companies to determine achievement of set goals within a given period of years. The ISA, an affiliate of the Foundation for Community Building in Asia and the Pacific, has undertaken the PGS project, a nationwide advocacy program, to encourage local governments to improve public governance and increase community participation in development.

ISA was established in 1999 as an autonomous non-profit foundation aiming for economic and financial reform, strengthening corporate and political governance, and conducting educational programs for local governments.

The PGS will serve as ISA's index and evaluator of LGUs to see if the latter has fulfilled its promise and goals. It is a project supported by a grant from the USAID, the Asia Foundation and the Center for International Private Enterprise in Washington, D.C.