Mayors across Philippines to gather in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Following Mayor Michael Rama’s election as president of the League of Cities in the Philippines (PCL), close to 150 city mayors are set to gather in Cebu City in August for the league’s next meeting during which they are expected to share best practices from their local government units.

“As agreed, we will bring the league to Cebu by August 19, 20, 21 so that will bring everybody to be a part… on continuing education and there will be sort of exchange of best practices,” Rama said.

He said he has shared with other mayors his plan for Cebu City to follow in the footsteps of Singapore. He said he is eager to learn about the best practices from other LGUs. 

“We don’t just talk about Cebu City… we talk about the whole Philippines. Mao gyud na when I bring myself available to the league… I don’t think of the city alone... In view of my experience and best practices, it will go around the city, it will help even the province and it will intertwine with all the provinces, because we will have and we will see to it, that part of our best practices will have to be shared,” Rama said.

He said running for the LCP was hard work as his team in Manila and in Cebu had to gather signatures and the support of 95 other mayors so he could be elected president.

Rama also thanked President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte for supporting his bid.

As the national president of the LCP, Rama hopes to “strengthen” all cities, especially with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) needing their support.

“Strengthening cities… going towards being a smart city, globally-competitive… Parehas sa atong gibuhat diri karon wanting to be Singapore- like,” Rama said.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos expects the city mayors through the LCP to update DILG regarding the Mandanas ruling, build more fire stations and decongest jails, intensify campaign for COVID-19 booster shots in preparation for face-to-face classes, strengthen the war on drugs, support the Galing Pook initiative, partner during disasters, and ensure that services of the national government are felt by those in the grassroots.  – Decemay P. Padilla, JMO (FREEMAN)