Xiamen BRT, ‘greening’ wow Rama

A visit  last week to the city of Xiamen in China exposed Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and local businessmen to best practices in local governance and  investment opportunities.

Rama said he was interested with Xiamen’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, solid waste management and sewage treatment programs.

“I wanted to come back to see their system of garbage collection,” he said.

The mayor said he was also interested in  Xiamen’s urban greening project that featured  trees and flowering plants.

Rama and three companions were invited to Xiamen by  Mayor Liu Kequing, who  shouldered their travel expenses  so they could attend the  15th China International Fair for Investment and Trade from Sept. 8 to  Sept. 11.

Rama said he was accompanied by  businessmen led by Joseph Gaisano,  who helped other traders in the delegation explore business opportunities in Xiamen.

The businessmen were told that airline tycoon Lucio Tan is already doing business there.

Rep. Tomas Osmeña of Cebu City’s south district, however, said Rama’s foreign travels are useless since these have not brought any good to the city.

Osmeña said when he traveled abroad as mayor, he brought home news of newly created sisterhood ties with foreign cities or donations from these cities.

“It’s not me wanting to travel, but it’s a function being required of me as the mayor,” Rama said.

Rama said he even begged off from a trip to Kortrijk in Belgium next month and would instead send Councilors Alvin Dizon and Roberto Cabarrubias on his behalf.

Rama said he asked Dizon to extend an invitation to Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Councilor Margot Osmeña, the council’s international relations chairperson, but the two begged off because of other commitments.

Mayor Rama said in some instances he is forced to travel abroad because it would be rude for him to turn down invitations especially those coming from sister cities like Xiamen.

He said there is a standing invitation to visit next year Haarlemmermeer in the Netherlands, one of the city’s most generous sister cities.