More JO workers needed to help spruce up city for int’l events

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Government is hiring 25 job order personnel to help work on the massive landscaping and beautification of the city’s historical sites in preparation for two international events.

The P352,000 needed for their salaries would be charged to the P1.6 million included in this year’s Supplemental Budget 2 for the maintenance of parks, plazas, and monuments program of the City Parks and Playgrounds Commission.

Cebu hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation next year and the International Eucharistic Congress in 2016.

“It is highly recommended that the additional job order personnel are hired to help in the beautification of our center islands, parks, plazas and monuments…to attract more tourists to frequently visit our city, and at the same time to be well prepared for the upcoming international events,” said the City Parks and Playgrounds Commission in a resolution.

City Parks Administrator Arlie Gesta said they have to augment the number of workers to maintain and ensure that the greening and beautification project would be done in time for the upcoming events.

He said the 25 JOs will help in the propagation of plants at the city’s nurseries in Oprra and at the North Reclamation Area; assist in the maintenance of all plazas, parks, center islands, and roadsides; and trim and prune the trees along the city’s major sidewalks and center islands.

The additional employees would also help in the electrical, masonry, carpentry and other activities of the task force formed for the project.

“We have to ensure that enough plants are propagated to maintain and enhance the plazas, parks and center islands for the public to enjoy and appreciate, and to develop the vacant spaces through urban greening,” Gesta said.

He said various preparations are being done as early as now to ensure proper implementation of all projects of the city for the said events. (FREEMAN)