Metro Cebu master plan: RDC endorses JICA-aided study

CEBU, Philippines - The Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed the conduct of the JICA-assisted Metro Cebu Master Plan study and enjoined all concerned to provide assistance to the project.

The Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB) in cooperation with Cebu City sought the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the preparation of a Metro Cebu Development Master Plan to provide the integrated framework for the implementation of various projects in Metro Cebu.

JICA approved the request for technical assistance for the conduct of a master plan study.

A day after the RDC endorsed the study in its full council meeting last December 13, JICA director for Environmental Management Division Noda Hideo informed MCDCB chairman, Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, that they have started their vision and concept survey towards Metro Cebu’s environment-friendly and sustainable development.

The project will run for approximately four months, to end in March 2013 in which experts will conduct a series of workshops beginning January to discuss further their strategy.

In a courtesy call at the Capitol last Friday, Noda told Garcia that JICA is committed to help Cebu City as a sister-city of Yokohama.

Noda, who came to Cebu with other JICA officials and Yokohama City experts, stated they have already met with Metro Cebu local government units to discuss the outputs of the survey.

Garcia welcomed the support of JICA saying that with their help, MCDCB should be able to deliver its promise to address the common problems faced by Metro Cebu like drainage system, traffic and waste management.

Metro Cebu is composed of seven cities; Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-lapu, Danao, Talisay, Naga, and Carcar, and six municipalities; Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Minglanilla, and San Fernando.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Yokohama City Mayor Fumiko Hayashi entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last March.  Yokohama being an Eco-Model City, the MOU provides for them to give technical assistance for Cebu’s sustainable development.

The RDC which Rama chairs found the activity to be important and of great consequence to the proper and sustainable development of Metro Cebu.

The RDC sought the support of the members to ensure the successful and timely conduct of the master plan study. —/MBG (FREEMAN)