City, Capitol open Fuente sidewalk

Maroon bricks on a wide sidewalk near Fuente Osmeña rotunda give a glimpse of the planned Spanish-era styled beautification of Cebu City’s streets and landmarks.

A space in front of the unfinished building of Banco De Oro (BDO) was unveiled yesterday as an early example.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia together with philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung opened the sidewalk in simple rites at 4 p.m

In a speech, Rama lauded BDO for being the first establishment in the Fuente Osmeña area to beautify its sidewalk.

He said Cebu City residents can expect more presentable sidewalks in the next few months.

“If all of us will help, beautiful things will happen,” Rama said.

Gov. Garcia lauded Rama for pushing the city government’s partnership with the province in upgrading Cebu City’s landmarks.

She said the provincial government will improve the entire road stretch from Fuente Osmeña to the Capitol before the province’s 444nd anniversary in August.

Yeung, who heads Cebu City’s Beautification Movement, said they already raised P10 million of the target P50 million budget for the project which covers Sanciangko Street to the whole length of Osmeña Boulevard to the Capitol.

Spanish-era themed structures like lampposts worth P2 million will be installed, she said.

Yeung said they hope to finish the beautification project before Christmas.