“I am Mandaue” movement launched

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City government yesterday launched the “I am Mandaue” movement during the opening program of the two-week long activities, leading to the celebration of the feast day of the city’s patron, St. Joseph, on May 8.

“This is geared towards building a character city starting with ourselves,” city administrator lawyer James Abadia said.

The movement emphasizes the values that every Mandauehanon should practice or practiced in the past, such as the pride of being a Mandauehanon, who is endowed with a rich socio-cultural and intellectual heritage.

“I am Mandaue” is part of the Performance Governance System (PGS) that the city implements in coordination with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA) aimed at practicing good governance.

The city government has already passed two of the stages of PGS, the initiation and the compliant stages.

Led by Mayor Jonas Cortes, officials, employees and residents wrote their answers on the so-called “freedom wall” to the question, “If you were Mandaue, what characteristic or trait best describe you?”

Mayor Cortes wrote, “I am for good governance.”

Others followed, including the 12 finalists in the Ms. Mandaue  2013 competition.

“This shows that a transformation is happening starting in the city hall,” an employee said.

The launching was preceded with a motorcade and ended with a Holy Mass held at the National Shrine of St. Joseph.

Starting yesterday, a nightly entertainment program is held at the Heritage Plaza. (FREEMAN)