12 mayors off to China today

Eleven mayors of Metro Manila and one from Rizal Province are taking a trip to Shanghai, China today as part of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr.’s move to instill his vision of the metropolis on the local executives.

Abalos said the mayors are joining him on the "exposure" trip to what is considered to be the most urbanized city of China.

Abalos said that he was impressed by the development of Shanghai from a rural to industrialized city during his last trip with First Gentlemen Mike Arroyo last year.

In particular, Abalos said that he would focus on the famous Yang Tze River which was supposedly worse off than the Pasig River in terms of pollution but has been rehabilitated to its former glory.

He noted that the mayors should be able to see an example which shows that a polluted river could return it to its former glory.

He noted that the mayors should be able to see an example which shows that the rehabilitation of the Pasig River is possible. "We can not successfully clean the Pasig River without the support of the Metro Mayors," Abalos said.

The trip to Shanghai would last for three days and would be attended by majority of the mayors namely: Manila Mayor Lito Atienza, Quezon City’s Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Muntinlupa’s Jaime Fresnedi, Caloocan’s Rey Malonzo, Marikina’s Lourdes Fernando, Parañaque’s Joey Marquez, Pasay’s Wenceslao Trinidad, Valenzuela’s Jose Emmanuel Carlos’ Patero’s Rosendo Capco, Taguig’s Sigfrido Tinga, Pasig’s Soledad Eusebio and Rodriquez, Rizal Mayor Pedro Cuerpo.

First Gentlemen Arroyo will accompany the group, along with Pagcor Chairman Efraim Genuino, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar and the spouses of the mayors.

The MMDA’s development plan for Metro Manila also includes the promotion of the different cities and municipalities as tourist spots.

Abalos pointed out the old Shanghai is featured as a tourist attraction that generates many visits daily.

He said that a similar project would be undertaken in Metro Manila with one of the less popular local government units serving as the host.

One of the municipalities being looked at is Pateros which has been overshadowed by its neighboring cities and municipalities namely, Pasig, Makati and Taguig.

The municipality would set up a venue that would feature the industries of most of the LGUs for which they are known.

Among those to be featured include the process of making balut in Pateros and laundering in Mandaluyong City.

What would be featured are the practices that were made popular during the early years but have since been forgotten or ignored.

"We want to revive the old industries. When people start going to your area, that’s already development," Abalos said on the hosting of the tourist attraction.