Danao inks partnership with Yokohama, Japan

CEBU, Philippines — The Danao City government has recently inked a partnership with the City of Yokohama, Japan to further boost more sustainable urban development programs.

Danao City Mayor Mix Durano, Vice Mayor Nito Durano, and other city officials welcomed the officials of Yokohama City led by Executive Director of Development Cooperation, International Affairs Bureau Ryoichiro ORII where they discussed potential projects and programs that will address present and future urban issues of Danao City.

In line with the discussion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in the pipeline for the two cities to signify the partnership for the said projects, which is in preparation of making Danao City a model city for sustainable development in the province of Cebu.

The MOU is part of the Yokohama Partnership of Resources and Technology (Y-PORT) Program.

In 2012, an MOU was also signed by Cebu City Government and the City of Yokohama on Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Urban Development, which was the starting point for the cooperation between the City of Yokohama and the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

With the expanded framework, Metro Cebu received support from the City of Yokohama and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the development of the Mega Cebu Vision 2050, the Metro Cebu Sustainable Urban Development Roadmap 2050, subsequent roadmaps and master plans on Urban Transport, Flood Control and Drainage Management, Septage Management, among others.

“Through this partnership, the Japanese government supported the construction and operation of recycling waste plastics and the application of high-efficient sludge dehydrators for septage management on a pilot basis. Metro Cebu participation in the Asia Smart City Conference, held annually by the City of Yokohama, was also facilitated,” as mentioned in the program’s briefer.

With the framework of Green Recovery and Green Innovation Technologies in Metro Cebu, it is expected that innovative projects toward sustainable urban development will be created.

These projects will cover green recovery and carbon neutrality and utilize cutting-edge technologies and services.

Aside from Cebu City, and the cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, the City of Danao is the first city outside the tri-cities to benefit from the said program and possible partnerships starting with its soon to be collaboration with GUUN, a plastic recycling plant based in Yokohama.

Yokohama’s help in addressing the wastewater problem of the city is by sending wastewater experts.

Also, the opportunity in co-building a globally competitive professionals through the Your Future Your Yokohama Seminar supported by Cebu Technological University - Danao Campus that was conducted on the same day of their visit.

“With these partnerships and sharing of programs, we are close to making true our plans of having Danao City as the next green and sustainable hub for the entire province of Cebu,” said the city mayor.

In September 2022, the Danao City officials took the opportunity while on vacation in Japan to meet with the Yokohama officials, as well as GUUN, a company that has a plastic recycling plant in Cebu to discuss possible partnerships and collaboration programs. — GAN (FREEMAN)