Beautification to silence critics like Jimmy–group

Once the beautification of Osmeña Boulevard and the rest of Cebu City is complete there would be no reason for foreigners like Jimmy Siezcka to criticize the city.

Philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon and businesswoman Margie Lhuillier, co-chairpersons of the Beautiful Cebu Movement, said this in response to the “20 things I dislike about the Philippines” viral video of Siezcka.

Lhullier, who said she  knew Jimmy worked as a lightsman for Bigfoot Productions  like her granddaughter did earlier, said she thinks Jimmy loves Cebu and that everything “he said in the video was true.”

“But the problem is that we do not enjoy hearing it if (criticisms) come from a foreign national. Whatever he is criticizing, we are doing something about it,” she said.

Yeung said the movement raised its target P10 million during a Feb. 29 masquerade ball for the beautification of Osmeña Boulevard. Work there  resumes after the Holy Week and is set to be completed in 60 days.

Yeung said Cebuanos shouldn’t take offense at  what Jimmy said in his viral video.

She said they should take it as a wake-up call for them to cooperate with the city government in making Cebu City clean and beautiful.

“This is where we can come in.  We can help in cleaning the city,” she said.

Lawyer Joje Dical, movement president, said while they work to beautify the city they also need the help of Cebuanos in keeping these areas clean and orderly.

“We are calling the public not to vandalize.  We are also asking the support especially of establishment owners along Osmeña Boulevard not to make the sidewalks a parking area,” she said.

She said the bricks and pavings they used on the sidewalks are designed for pedestrian use. Dical said these aren’t durable enough to withstand vehicle use.

Yeung said they immediately report to Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama or to the Cebu City Integrated Traffic Operations Management (Citom) any vehicles that  park on the newly paved sidewalks of Osmeña Boulevard.

Beautification of the boulevard from the Capitol to Fuente Osmeña rotunda was completed last year, said Yeung.

Phase 2 of their work from Fuente Osmena rotunda to Sanciangko Street is only  25 percent complete due to lack  of  funding and some “interruptions,” which include the Sinulog celebration last January.

Architect Tessie Javier, Beautiful Cebu Movement vice president for internal affairs, said they will  install 175 lampposts worth P10,000 each along Osmeña Boulevard.

About 164 posts were already installed.

“We are just working on the electrical connections to  light the lampposts,” she said.

Yeung said Rama asked the movement to extend their work up to Plaza Independencia area.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia also helped them tap cement suppliers for some donations of cement.

Next on their list is the beautification of sidewalks along Escario, B. Rodriguez and Sanciangko streets.

“We will continue even if there is a change in administration after the election.  We are nonpartisan,” said Yeung.

“We have nothing to do with politics and we are not funded by the city government.”