Japanese reps here for dev't strategy survey

CEBU, Philippines - Delegates from Yokohama City, Japan, together with representatives from Japan International Cooperation Agency are in Cebu until Wednesday to conduct initial field surveys to commence the creation of an Urban Sustainable Environment Development (USED) Strategy for Cebu City.

Toru Hashimoto, Manager of the International Technical Cooperation Division of Yokohama City said that this is the response of the technical assistance they promised to Cebu City when Mayor Michael Rama, along with other Cebu City officials, went to Yokohama last March.

Yokohama committed to provide technical assistance to Cebu City in conducting studies and formulating strategies to solve three main problems that Cebu City is facing now – wastewater management, solid waste management and flood control.

“We want to help Cebu City to become sustainable and more livable,” Hashimoto said.

Yokohama City tapped the help of JICA to provide assistance to the City Government that may expand to financial assistance.

Hashimoto said that while there is no detailed talk yet, they are considering providing financial assistance for the implementation of the projects that will come out as the outputs and recommendations of the USED.

Yasushi Tanaka, Deputy Director General for Asia and Pacific Department of JICA said that their main involvement in this undertaking is to support Cebu City and Yokohama City in the area of environment.

Hashimoto said that they might be able to start the study on September this year as they do not want to be affected by the election ban next year.

Their target completion is sometime in February or March.

Hashimoto clarified that they are not making a master plan, but a strategic plan from which a master plan can be based.

As of now, the assistance is focused in Cebu City but he said it might expand to other towns and cities in the Metro depending on how far the study will reach.

“We know that in the long run, the inclusion of other cities will be essential,” Hashimoto said.

Rama said that his priority is more on the coastal management where flood control and wastewater treatment will be integrated.

Yokohama will also be donating two buses to Cebu City. Ryan Necitas Echevarria, Cebu City Protocol Officer, said that the donation of the two buses is now being processed.  (FREEMAN)