CEBU, Philippines - Some people are working hard to improve the city but it seems others are bent on blocking their efforts.
The Cebu Beautiful Movement Foundation Inc. reported already completing 72 percent of its beautification project from the Capitol to Fuente Osmeña and from Fuente Osmeña to Sanciangko St. but the project is being marred by vandals who have damaged some of the improvements and even stole one lamppost.
Upset and surprised, philanthropist and businesswoman Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung, chairwoman of the movement, said she cannot believe that while they worked so hard to beautify the city, some people are being irresponsible and cold-hearted.
“Gikawat gyud, haay ka grabe. We have to do something to stop this,” Yeung said upon inspecting where a lamppost once stood along Osmeña Blvd. just a few meters away from the Police Regional Office-7 headquarters and across the street from the Cebu City Police Station 2.
It was observed during her inspection that the glass casings of other lampposts were smashed, although the bulbs were left intact.
They believe this was the handiwork of street children.
“It is very frustrating and disappointing. Nagpabaga na lang gani mi sa among nawong og pinangayo og donations in order to make this city beautiful. Nagpakilimos na intawon mi para gyud to raise funds. Unya ing-anion lang nila? Naa gyuy mga tawong walay konsensiya,” Yeung said.
“Ato-a na lang gyud ni weldingon ang mga bolts sa lampost para di na ni makawat,” said architect Tessie Javier, the movement’s vice president for internal affairs.
During their meeting yesterday with some barangay officials, Capitol Site barangay captain Manuel Guanzon said that some lampposts no longer have a top cover and said he heard these were stolen also by street children.
“Wala nay tabon ang lamppost. Mao na inig uwan, mo-ground ang kuryente. That’s why some lights are no longer functioning,” Guanzon said.
Each lamppost costs around P10,000.
Cebu City Michael Rama, who attended the meeting said he cannot believe a lamppost near the PRO-7 headquarters was stolen. The empty pedestal where the lamppost used to stand is also in front of a bank.
“Unsa man ni sila, nangatulog?” Rama said, adding he will replace Cebu City police director Melvin Ramon Buenafe if this area will not be secured.
For the meantime, Rama said he does not want to intervene in the movement’s beautification efforts as the essence of public-private partnership will be gone.
Despite the setback, Yeung was proud to announce their recent accomplishment but likewise appealed to establishment owners, who have not beautified the areas fronting their establishments until now.
So far there are 14 establishments along Osmeña Blvd. that initially agreed to this but have not carried out their promise until now.
Yeung added that she already wrote a letter last May 15 to these establishment owners offering that the movement shall undertake the beautification and will just send them the bill afterwards.
“Dili na ko makapaabot kung kanus-a na nila trabahuon. Kita na lang ang motrabaho and I will just send them the bill. Pero until now, wala pa gitubag ang akong letter. Pagkapait baya,” Yeung said.
The movement targeted to finish the area last December but due to the resistance of some establishment owners, the project was delayed.
Yeung added that beautifying the stretch of Osmeña Blvd. from Fuente Osmeña to Sanciangko St., needs to be done in time for the canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod in November as a huge celebration is expected.
“The world will have an eye on Cebu during this event. The celebration will be bigger than Sinulog,” Yeung said.
The movement has been raising funds for the project. They conducted a masquerade ball last February and raised at least P10 million.
What pains the movement’s officials is also that fact that some establishment owners opted to park their car on the newly-cemented sidewalk, which should not be the case.
Cebu City executive assistant Paul Hubahib had an argument with one of the owners of an establishment whom he asked not to park on the sidewalk, the owner contended that he can do so because he pays taxes to the government.
“We are asking all the Cebuanos to help clean our city. I am requesting all the establishment (from Capitol to Sanciangko) not to allow motorcycles and cars to park in front of their establishments,” Yeung added.
To prevent this from further happening, Yeung is tapping the assistance of the barangay officials in the area to secure the sidewalks and the lampposts and to ensure that their respective areas are clean.
Sambag 1 barangay captain Gerry Guardo assured to secure his area of responsibility and said the barangay shall pay if lampposts are stolen.
The Cebu Beautiful Movement Foundation Inc. is a non-political and non-profit organization.
The Cebu City government has no counterpart in this multi-million restoration project to save them from spending.
This beautification project includes lighting of trees, installation of lampposts and concreting the sidewalks with bricks, including the center island of Osmeña Blvd. —/BRP (FREEMAN)