Unite to build sustainable Cebu, mayors urged

METRO Cebu mayors were enjoined to work closely together to build eco-friendly cities and resolve shared perennial problems like flooding and traffic.

The appeal was aired by Dominica Chua, chief operating officer of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. as part of the proposed Mega Cebu platform during the Eko Conference held at the Radisson Blue Hotel yesterday.

“(The mayors and the private sector stakeholders) have to work closely with the DPWH to get there support for the drainage master plan program of Metro Cebu,” Chua said.

Chua said the drainage master plan program of Metro Cebu includes both waters coming from the coastal and mountain areas.

She said the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) through the Mega Cebu Development Plan is also encouraging local government units (LGUs) in the province to integrate their drainage plans with Metro Cebu.

“The framework of Mega Cebu, that all 13 cities and towns will make a conscious decision to unite for a greater cause that is to mount a long term plan to build a livable, sustainable Cebu,” Chua said.

During the conference, Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera said the city is also doing its part to mobilize its city residents and business sector to help mitigate the adverse effects of climate change in their own way.

She said this is done by enforcing ordinances on recycling, solid waste management and the creation of bike lanes, an eco-friendly mass transit system and parks.

Cabrera said the city government developed 12 major parks, plazas, road center island, sidewalks and monuments in the city like the Plaza Independencia, Plaza Sugbu and the Heritage Park.

She said the city government plans to develop the Cebu Zoo into a Cebu City Botanical Garden and Wildlife Center.

Bike lanes will also be built from Plaza Independencia to JY Square in Lahug and from Busay to Ayala Heights.

An Environmental Sustainability Action Plan is also proposed to institutionalize environment programs with the business sector, Cabrera added. Correspondent Christine Emily L. Pantaleon