CEBU, Philippines - “Develop the entire province of Cebu, not just metro Cebu or other urbanized cities,” an official said.
Stating that Cebu City is already concentrated in its limited landscape, Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. noted that putting up a highway that would connect Cebu City to the northern and southern parts of the province would enable the countryside to taste the growth and development of the whole province.
The highway, he added, can promote the convenience of migration and can save time since it would be more accessible and speedy. For instance, a trip of 3 hours or more from Cebu City to Bogo can be shortened to 30-40 minutes through the proposed highway.
Martinez also encouraged the provincial and national government to initiate the move to bring forth such advancement in the countryside, resulting to the addition of jobs offered, prevention of traffic, lesser congestion and more economic opportunities in the rural areas.
“I feel disgusted. Why are we just talking about metro Cebu? Why not the whole province of Cebu,” he said during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu yesterday.
Instead of just the mere “Suroy-suroy sa Sugbo”, he said that focusing more on infrastructures leading to beach resorts and golf courses in various areas can uphold the entire province to be a more visible and possible tourist destination.
Martinez said they are planning to open up a new parking area that can accommodate their clients since the parking space in Bogo City, particularly in Gaisano Bogo, is an issue after all. Attending to such problem, he added, can also attract more investors and business establishments such as malls, hotels and banks, to be established in the area.
“Imbis mamalit ngadto (Gaisano), mo-adto nalang og laing lugar. If you cannot influence the decision of businessmen, let the local government do the move,” he said.
Furthermore, to be in line with other urbanized cities such as Cebu City, Mandaue City, Cordova and Lapu-Lapu, Martinez said that they are already working out on the rehabilitation of the roads in the northern part of the province, from Carmen to Daanbantayan, and will be made more accessible soon.
While Samuel Lao, past president of The Society of Cebu Realty Firms Inc., suggested that the government and the private sector can merge in promoting the big master plan of Cebu as a business and financial zone. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento
He also commended that Cebu has entrepreneurial government leaders, dynamic business chambers and active non-government organizations that are considered as assets and wealth of the province.
“Let’s come together and promote Cebu as one. We have to market Cebu as the second home and industrial hub, not just among other provinces and cities in the country but also among other countries in the world,” Lao stated.
He cited that the different areas of Cebu is ideal for several economic zones such as the southern part as a tourism and residential area, the northern and western side as the industrial zone while the eastern part of Cebu is good for retirement facilities and health.
Lao added that development in Talisay City and traffic congestion in Consolacion and Liloan must also be given attention for Cebu to have a bigger picture of its strong direction towards economic growth. — (FREEMAN)