Rama off to Japan next week

CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama leaves next week for an educational tour in Yokohama City, Japan.

Rama said his six-day trip will be paid by the Yokohama City government.  He said he will have a first-hand look at their environmental protection and waste management programs.

In his absence, Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young will be designated acting mayor with Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa as acting vice mayor.

Rama will leave for Manila on Monday and depart  for Japan on Tuesday.  He  will return on April 1.

City market operations division head Raquel Arce is accompanying the mayor.

Yokohama would like to establish formal  ties of cooperation with Cebu City,  the mayor said, but this can no longer  be done.

Yohohama  only established sister cities ties with one local government unit in every country and already has a sister city agreement with Manila.

Still, Rama said he welcomed Yokohama’s offer of  cooperation and hopefully learn from their experiences.

“Yokohama has managed to excel in many field.  Before they were  problematic in many areas like the environment, waste management and health but that was years  back,” Rama said. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac