Youth expresses dreams for Mega Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Promoting a Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable and Sustainable (WAVES) community, scholars of the Young Minds Academy (YMA) of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) – Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (EADSC) came up with ‘dream block’ exhibits in support of the Mega Cebu program.

Using recycled and indigenous materials, six YMA teams made posters showing how an existing ‘block’ (structure or stretch) in Metro Cebu can be enhanced using the sustainable urban planning and development principles advocated by Mega Cebu. 

The target blocks used as templates for the posters were selected from the winning entries of the Mega Cebu Month Photo Contest last September.  These included the Mercado Mansion in Carcar City, the Naga City plaza, the old Mandaue City public market, the Mactan Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City, the old White Gold building, and the Vision Theatre stretch of  Colon Street in Cebu City. 

The scholars also considered the historical, cultural and socio-economic significance of their target blocks in designing their exhibits.

Creating a ‘dream block’ exhibit was one of the avenues for active citizenship provided by RAFI-EADSC to 87 scholars in the 7th season of YMA. 

After eight months of rigorous competence-building and character-strengthening modules and learning sessions, the scholars were asked to come up with a project in line with the theme, Urban Development, particularly to support the Mega Cebu program and framework for long-term and collaborative planning and action towards a more sustainable city-region, which RAFI coordinates in support of the mandate of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) and in partnership with various public and private organizations and individuals. 

Aside from ‘dream block’ exhibits, other YMA teams came-up with community-based project proposals or social marketing initiatives promoting relevant causes in assigned local government units in Metro Cebu. 

These projects or initiatives were intended to address issues and concerns on integrated development and spatial planning, traffic and transport management, tourism, water and watershed management, public safety and security including disaster risk reduction and management, solid waste management, and urban agriculture for food security. (FREEMAN)