Drilon, Singson join Cebu City Advisory Council

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson and former Sen. Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — Mayor Michael Rama here has tapped the services of two more former national government officials in a bid to achieve his vision of turning Cebu City into a version of Singapore.

Rama on Monday introduced former Sen. Franklin Drilon and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Rogelio Singson as part of the Cebu City Advisory Council, the body that is expected to help the city address its serious flooding problem.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are part of the ingredients, essentials, in making a Singapore-like Cebu City,” Rama told Drilon and Singson.

Asked if the former government officials would be paid, the mayor said: “They are not asking for anything. They decided to help Cebu City, not because of money, but due to their willingness to assist us. They are my friends.”

Rama began talking about a “Singapore-like Cebu” when he started his term as mayor on June 30.

He said he would use progressive Singapore to further guide the city in its development. This plan includes paying the city’s debt, realizing the Bus Rapid Transit project, and fixing the perennial problem of traffic, pollution and flooding, among others.

Rama also wants to start landscaping projects in idle areas in the city, including center islands and spots under skyways, to allow more green spaces in the city.

Willing to help

At a press conference, Drilon expressed gratitude to Rama and other city officials.

“We will do our best, whether we succeed or not. But if there is something I can guarantee, [that is] our willingness to help. We look forward to being able to see a Singapore-like Cebu City,” said Drilon, who had served as Senate president and justice secretary.

Singson, for his part, said the city should push for the construction of medium-rise buildings where informal settlers along the city’s waterways would be relocated.

He said the DPWH could help in flood control efforts provided an area was available for them to do proper river embankment.

Singson served as secretary of DPWH under the administration of the late former President Benigno Aquino III.

Drilon and Singson were the latest former officials to join the city’s advisory council. The others were former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, former Philippine National Police chief Debold Sinas, and retired Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Melquiades Feliciano.

—REPORTS FROM NESTLE SEMILLA AND ADOR VINCENT MAYOL

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