Almendras: Redevelopment key challenge to Cebuanos

Cabinet Secretary Rene D. Almendras urged Cebuano businessmen to take on a more proactive role in helping create a sustainable and liveable Cebu through well planned urban development.

Speaking before members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry last Thursday for the organization’s General Membership Meeting held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Almendras said that there is no better way to achieve sustainable development than to work together for a common goal.

According to Almendras, it is the time for Cebuanos to start developing and redeveloping Cebu to become a more efficient city conducive to economic growth and comfortable living.

“Sustainability is a longer a choice, but a must, and business has a critical role to play in this aspect. Because of that business can no longer be ‘as usual’ but adapt to new challenges. Cebu must face the challenge of sustainability and livability now if you want your place to continue to grow,” said Almendras.

He added that the effort in making Cebu among most sustainable and livable cities in the world is not possible if left to government alone. The private sector has a critical hand in its development and success.

“Business must work with the government. What we don’t realize is the difference between compliance and cooperation. Business and government should work together to raise the quality of life. The time is now, every City in the Philippines is competing with Cebu. Every city in Asia is competing with Cebu,” he said.

As of now about 3.5 billion people are living in cities and by 2050, the number is projected to increase by two-thirds according to Almendras.

“About 95 percent of urban developments by then will be happening in developing countries like the Philippines and about 2.5 billion people are living in cities within Asia Pacific region alone. So imagine a new Singapore emerging every month for the next 17 years,” he said.

Because of this explosion in population and urban developments, Almendras said that Cebu will need to be at the forefront of all these developments which can be achieve through a sustainable urban development plan.

Two Things

Almedras said that there are two major things that Cebu businessmen can do.

“First is to push for a good urban development and redevelopment plan and second is to insist on compliance to the plans,” said Almendras.

He said that business, commerce and industry must start complying with the regulations and guideline that will be indicated in the plans like building codes, laws and requirements adding that sometime businessmen don’t follow certain requirements to maximize profits.

“It is time that business, commerce and industries start taking responsibility and accountability. We should plan our city as intricately as we plan our homes and we start with consulting people and comlying,” said Almendras.

According to his definition of a sustainable and liveable community, it does not only mean “green” and ecologically friendly but a balance in development of all the aspects that make up a community from its road network to its ports and all other aspects that are contributes to efficiency and comfort for everyone in the community including government, business and private individuals.

He added that a re-development plan for Cebu is needed he said, “its not about planning a new area, its about planning an old area.”

“This wonderful place, I call home–Cebu is an ideal city for tourism. Its streets is meant for telling stories in the past and we should be able to develop along these key elements in our community,” he said adding that if the traffic congestion will not be addressed, Cebu may lose its opportunity to maximize its rich heritage, as well as it potential to shine among other cities in the world.