Critics urged: Support beautification projects

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu 4th District Rep. Benhur Salimbangon has appealed to the critics of the Cebu Beautification Movement Foundation Inc. chaired by his sister Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung to give the body a chance to work on its mandate.

Salimbangon reacted to criticisms that the foundation’s project to beautify the city is nothing but a waste of money.

In a weekly media forum, Tapok-Tapok sa NS Royal Pension, Salimbangon said their family doesn’t really want to intrude into the affairs of Cebu City but her sister loves the city and was not able to say no when asked by Mayor Michael Rama to head the beautification body.

Salimbangon said their family is just helping Cebu City and called on the others to help instead of criticizing the project.

Last Thursday, thousands of Cebuanos joined the “Beautify Cebu Unity Walk” led by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Rama and Yeung.

Yeung has 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 Boulevard dubbed as “Osmeña Boulevard Restoration Project”.

The team seeks to raise millions of pesos for the beautification project which includes lighting the trees, installing lampposts and putting up bricks on the sidewalks of the boulevard.

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

Proposed fund raising activities include the conduct of concert, fashion show for a cause and an auction, among others.

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. —/FPL (FREEMAN)