Rama mulls revival of old Colon street

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is planning to revitalize the downtown area, particularly Colon Street which is reputed to be the oldest street in the country.

Mayor Michael Rama is set to meet with the core group of the Downtown Revitalization Project to tackle the conceptual design, such as the leveling of sidewalks for the convenience of all persons with disabilities (PWDs), drainage and flooding mitigation, structural layout, among others.

The core group is composed of George Chu, the project’s committee president, and some experts in the fields of planning, designing and architecture.

Rama said the Downtown Revitalization Project is part of the city’s preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2015 and the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in 2016.

Rama said there is a need to bring back the “old” Colon Street, the city’s major trading hub and the center of commerce and industry in Cebu years back.

Rama has encouraged all stakeholders – barangay officials of Kamagayan, Pari-an, Sto.Niño, Ermita, Kalubihan, Sambag 1, and Pahina Central, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom),  and street vendors – to take part in the revitalization project.

The downtown revitalization program was started by Rama when he was still vice mayor. The program aims to light up the whole stretch of Colon, maintain peace and order, promote clean and green program, improve the traffic flow, regulate the vendors, and boost business in the area.

“We have to bring back what was Colon before,” Rama said.

The mayor was in Colon yesterday for the opening of the Super Metro department store.

He said businesses coming in the downtown areas will promote trade and industry. In effect, it will also promote tourism as it gives back life to “classical Colon” being the oldest street.

“I am looking at this place (Colon) a little SM or Ayala. It may not be huge but there is a touch of class. It is enticing, magnificent and something that is really amazing,” Rama said.

Rama said he was glad because Jose “Dodong” Gullas, The FREEMAN chairman and executive vice president of the University of the Visayas, helped in elevating Colon through Education.

He also made special  mention to the Gaisanos who contributed in establishing several stores in downtown area.

“Hagit ni sa tanan (businessmen) whether you like it or not you have to do creative working. Think more and be creative, kinahanglang mo-set ta og standard,” Rama said.

Rama is encouraging businessmen to invest in Colon to “revitalize it more,” though the city will not give them tax credit.

“Di man kinahanglan tagaan nimo sila og tax credit for them to be competitive, Gaisano made it and others can do. Kanang mga investors they don’t need tax credits they just need peace and order, basic services, and good governance of the city government,” he said.  (FREEMAN)