Rama: JICA interested in 5 ‘masterplans’

Mayor Michael Rama said that officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expressed interest in the five “masterplans” they are planning to formulate and integrate in the Mega Cebu Masterplan.

Rama, who came from five-day official visit in Yokohama, Japan, said he was optimistic the JICA may fund the formulation of the five “masterplans” for the South Road Properties (SRP), traffic, coastal management, drainage maintenance and flood control projects, and beautification of downtown and uptown Cebu City.

The five “masterplans” estimated to cost P75 million were included in the proposed P11.8 billion budget prepared by the executive, which was not approved by the City Council.

The mayor said that JICA officials expressed approval of the need to come up with a masterplan to guide the city’s development.

Rama said  their presentation during a dinner meeting of the Mega Cebu Masterplan project was positively received by JICA officials. He was assisted by Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) officials Dawny Chua and Tats Castro in his Mega Cebu Masterplan project presentation.

Cebu City’s masterplans, Rama said, are expected to complement if not form part of the Mega Cebu masterplan.

Asked if the city was expecting a grant from JICA, Rama replied, “Hopefully because they recognize that (having masterplans) is part of our needs.”

“They wanted us (the city government) to focus on sustainable urban development,” Rama told reporter in a press conference yesterday.

Yokohama tour

Rama said the city’s delegation also made an ocular inspection of Yokohama’s incinerator. They learned from their solid waste management, transportation and the management of their landfill among others.

They saw how Yokohama manages its landfill, which has an operational life span of 50 years.

Rama, Councilors Edgar Labella and Eduardo Rama and some department heads left for Yokohama, Japan, for a five-day visit and returned to Cebu on Sunday.

The mayor said  Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi also wanted to visit Cebu City as part of the collaboration of the two governments. / Doris C. Bongcac, Chief Reporter