Thousands joins walk launching beautification drive

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of Cebuanos joined the “Beautify Cebu Unity Walk” led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mayor Michael Rama and philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung.

“Let us join hands in beautifying not just Cebu City nor Cebu province but our own Cebu, atong Sugbo and be part of the history that will continue to show to the country that we are one people that stands to be a beacon of hope, willing to show everyone that it can be done. We will beautify Cebu, it will be done,” Garcia said in her speech at the Capitol after the unity walk.

Yeung, chairwoman of the Cebu Beautification Movement Foundation Inc. invited all Cebuanos to help restore the beauty of Cebu by way of donating funds.

She herself donated P1 million for the restoration of Osmeña Blvd. dubbed as “Osmeña Boulevard Restoration Project”.

Yeung and her team of equally enthusiastic women from the different sectors seek to raise millions of pesos for the beautification project which includes lighting the trees, installing lampposts and concreting with bricks the sidewalks of the boulevard.

The beautification group is targeting to complete the project in time for Christmas.

The group earlier agreed that in order to raise funds, they will conduct a concert for a cause with Cebuano celebrities as well as concert king Martin Nievera. They also plan to hold a fashion show for a cause and an auction, among others.

Several groups from the academe, police, street vendors and other volunteer groups joined the unity walk despite the rain.

“I am so glad that many have participated and joined in the walk bisan nag-uwan,” Yeung said.

Yeung said that while the city government does not have to spend for the project it shall be in charge of the maintenance to ensure that the lights and other materials that will be put up for the restoration will not be stolen. (FREEMAN)