CEBU, Philippines — After noting that many roadsides are being encroached upon, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he will pursue what he described as "massive clearing operations and recovery of sidewalks."
Rama told The FREEMAN yesterday that he is going to issue an executive order concerning this matter.
“It will be covered by executive order on the massive, aggressive movement towards that biggest recovery that is the recovery of the sidewalk,” he said.
This came after Rama's series of “walk-thru” in different barangays, including Calamba, San Nicolas Proper, Pasil, and Ermita.
According to the report from the city's Public Information Office, together with the mayor in his walk-thrus were representatives from the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) team; Market Operations Division (MOD); Parks and Playgrounds Commission; Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO); Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO); Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) as well as representatives from Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) .
By doing the “walk-thru," Rama said that what he had promised was not just a campaign strategy, but an earnest desire to see for himself the real situation on the ground.
“Atong i-recover ang setback (sa dalan)... dapat naa gyuy sidewalk. Mao na, this is a huge responsibility. Dili ta mo-reclaim sa, pero atong i-reclaim ang sidewalk, atong i-reclaim ang setback,” said Rama.
Rama said he wants sidewalks to be recovered for the people to be safe while walking on the streets.
“We already had a very clear direction, ‘Singapore-Like Cebu City" but we have to emphasize order and most of all ‘authority’. The rule of law has to be respected. Sa karaan, one-third, two-thirds man na siya, way tawo the whole sidewalk. Ingon ana na siya ang buhaton nato,” Rama said.
Along with this, the mayor also instructed concerned departments to address street lighting and the drainage systems in the barangays, as well as the spaghetti wires in different areas.
“Sige na man na sila og trabaho. Ako lang nang i-check-up, ako lang na ariglahon ‘nya magsige man ko og agi aning lugara. Tul-iron ang hiwi, limpyohon ang hugaw, wagtangon ang baho, han-ayon ang gubot,” said Rama.
'Good Influence'
Meanwhile, Rama’s wife, Malou, on the other hand, emphasized that aside from all the actions taken by the city government, parents also have a role to play in achieving a Singapore-like city.
The First Lady of Cebu City said parents should instill discipline in all members of their household, especially their children.
“Kung dili nato mo-implement og rules sa bata dili pud na i-follow sa mga bata ug sa mga tawo nga nakita sa atong palibot. Like kung dili ta mo-istrikto sa pag-segregate sa basura, magpataka lang gyud na sila’g labay,” Malou said.
Along with this is the First Lady of Cebu City’s hope that fellow parents like her and Rama would be a good influence to others.
“Kung ato na i-implement sa atong balay or sa atong barangay, mao sad nay sundon sa uban. Inspiration ta sa ubang tawo ba, naay makakita nato sa atong balay ma-inspired mo,” Malou added. — JMD (FREEMAN)