Is Mayor Mike Rama a dreamer or a visionary?

Every politician is a dreamer. But only a few can be considered as true leaders. The difference between a dreamer and a visionary is nothing less and nothing more than the difference between a dream and a vision. A dream is just a little more than wishful thinking. A vision is backed up by a strategic plan. As of today, as far as I know, the good mayor is transitioning from dreaming to visioning. And that is good enough.

Most politicians are dreamers. President Manuel Quezon dreamt of a government run like hell by Filipinos as he abhorred a government run like heaven by Americans. For many decades thereafter, the Filipinos got hell. President Ramon Magsaysay dreamt of a government where "he who has less in life should have more in law." He didn’t live long to see his dreams, become reality. President Carlos Garcia dreamt of a country where policies, decisions, and government operations consider Filipinos first. President Marcos promised "this nation can be great again." I leave it to you, readers, if we did become great again or regret again. President Cory promised the return of democracy but then again, it was just a slogan in many ways. Just like her son, PNoy's "kayo ang boss ko." And FVR's "kaya natin 'to.” Erap's "walang kamag-anak, walang kumpare" was only a joke. So with Duterte's hackneyed jokes. Those were only slogans and empty political promises.

Mayor Rama, unlike many other politicians, is serious. He made a solemn promise to his great lolo, Don Vicente Rama, to make Don Vicente's dream a reality. He dreams of a city that is clean, orderly, prosperous, safe, and a haven of harmony and progress. He dreams of a city with an economy that assures profits to investors while also guaranteeing just conditions for the working class. He dreams of economic development but with social justice. He promises business viability and profits for businessmen but he also assures that workers are paid proper wages and sufficient benefits. While he is pro-business, he is also pro-labor. He envisions a city where industrial peace is founded on humane treatment of workers. He is a true-blooded HR man and taking care of people is his primordial priority.

Mayor Mike dreams of a city where there is a viable balance between urban development and ecological nurturing. He is looking forward to transforming Cebu City into one where people are disciplined and the environment is kept clean and the people friendly, where garbage is segregated and managed efficiently. He dreams of a city with adequate, safe, and affordable water supply, where the streets are well-lighted and the nooks and alleys are safe and beautiful. Mayor Mike knows the needs of the city. He is also aware of the dangers of cities that are left without proper management and leadership. He knows that when he introduces draconian measures to improve the city, his political enemies are out to make sure that he fails. But then again, they can't put a good man down, especially when this good man has a specific plan. Let the detractors do their worst while the good mayor cannot be distracted from doing his best all the time.

The master plan for transforming Cebu City into one that somehow resembles Singapore has the following components: First, the Total Land Use And Ecology Development Plan; Second, Economic, Trade and Tourism Enhancement Action Plan; Third, Social Development, Housing and Human Settlements Plan; Fourth, Transport, Mobility and Traffic Management Plan; Fifth; History, Culture and Arts Development Plan; Sixth, Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Enhancement Systems, and Seventh, Manpower and People' Skills Development Plan, with a component of Continuing Leadership and Management Development Systems. Mayor Mike assembles the experts in each of the seven components and lets them work within a predetermined timetable and performance targets. He should have one guy who should coordinate and synchronize everything to avoid too much duplication and petty turf wars.

Mayor Mike is transitioning and today is not just a dreamer but is gradually emerging as a true visionary, an action man who makes sure that his plans are executed according to predetermined goals and objectives. He deserves the support of all well-meaning Cebuanos and Filipinos. We can seldom find a guy whose mind is like Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew, whose passion is akin to Mahathir's and whose determination approximates that of Joko Widodo. Mike is our best bet. For now, it is Cebu. For the Philippines someday.