Widen sidewalks, open bike lanes

I am happy that the city government is asking the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to study setting up bike lanes in Cebu City. This is a welcome development. But while we are asking the DPWH for  help, the city government should also provide  proper sidewalks.

What would be the use of  bike lanes if pedestrians don’t  have space to walk and  are forced to walk on the streets, exposing themselves to accidents?  A case in point is the sidewalk along B. Rodriguez Street beside the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center . The  sidewalk does not accommodate patients or  their companions. Worse, the space is occupied by vendors displaying their wares.

I hope the city government and  DPWH can clear sidewalks of  obstructions  like the vendors.

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I am  excited with the induction of newly elected officials of the Cebu provincial and city governments. What kind of relationship will be established between the two governments? Governor-elect Hilario “Jun-Jun” Davide III and Mayor Michael Rama are expected to start a smooth and harmonious relationship since they are  considered friends who  started their political careers as Cebu City councilors.

The same feeling is  shared by the business sector. Traders are excited about what the two officials can bring to Cebu.  I think the Cebu City Council should  give a free hand to Mayor Rama to bid out the lots in the South Road Properties (SRP) for the welfare of the people who gave him a new mandate.

We must remind the council that their ordinance that prohibits the mayor from marketing and bidding out the SRP property was unfair to the people.  The SRP is  not anybody’s property. It belongs to the people.

Another issue that the city and the province must work on is the properties covered by Provincial Ordinance 93-1.  The province-owned lots in the city are occupied by informal settlers who failed to meet their obligation to pay for them. Whatever be the solution we are optimistic that both the city and the province can make it acceptable.

I am also happy that Mayor Mike will  be pushing for a  third bridge connecting Cebu to and Mactan island and Bohol. He  is proposing that the third bridge start in the southern part of the city near the SRP, continue to Shell Island then to the town of Cordova and then to the town nearest to Cebu in Bohol.

Mayor Rama said  the third bridge should not start in Mandaue City because two bridges are already there, creating so much congestion in the area.

Davide is expected to adopt the basic principle of transparency and accountability in the Captiol and push for consultative governance of the Province of Cebu. Popular participation and consultation are two of the important requirements of good governance.

There is no question that much is expected of Rama and Davide. With a  harmonious relationship many good things can happen to Cebu though some irritants are expected to crop up that  will attempt to stop or destroy the expected good relationship of both city and province.

There is apprehension that outgoing Congressman Tomas Osmeña may dip his fingers in the province’s affairs but I am confident that if this is not for the good of Cebu.  Davide and Vice Governor-elect Agnes Magpale would  not allow it. They owe their election to the people, not to one person.

Good luck to both Governor-elect Jun Jun and Mayor Mike. May the Good Lord be with you to guide you and bless you as you govern the province and city of Cebu.