Cebu City profits from ties with Yokohama

CEBU, Philippines - With the help of Yokohama City of Japan, Cebu's partner metropolis, the ecological and sustainable urban development in the Queen City of the South has progressed, according to Mayor Michael Rama.

Recently, AMCON of Japan has donated P15 million worth of sewerage treatment facility installed at the North Reclamation Area and a dump truck worth P2.8 million to store sludge cake for composting that would enhance the septage management in the city.

Also, P14 million worth of treatment facility to be installed at Inayawan Sanitary Landfill by the Japan International Cooperative Agency is at no cost to the city government of Cebu.

The establishment of the facilities will stimulate recycling business, reduce amount of landfill waste through recycling, reduce burden on final landfill site, create jobs for scavengers and improve the environment, officials said.

The help JICA is extending to the city through the AMCON Inc. and Mansei Recycle Systems Co. Ltd. is embedded in the memorandum of understanding between the City of Cebu and the City of Yokohama in Japan years back.

"Emphasizing on issues concerning environment, government, management, and the like…that would eventually contribute to a resilient and livable cities or local government units," Rama said.

The memorandum obliges Yokohama on Technical Cooperation for Sustainable Development to offer technical advice in promoting "eco-city development of Cebu."

Cebu City government has collaborated with Yokohama and other developed cities "with best experiences and practices" on urban planning and development and environment protection management due to "rapid urbanization and the corresponding increase in the population, urban development management, traffic management, waste management, environmental protection measures and drainage and flood control measures."

Reportedly, Yokohama has already faced various urban issues, including the rapid industrialization and the population expansion over the past few decades. (FREEMAN)