Council seeks ways to make city livable

Senior citizens, tourism, and environment are components in the city's societal framework that the city government believes should be given attention to make Cebu City an even more livable city in the next two years.

In its strategic planning seminar workshop, the city council has lined-up projects that would address the development of these three components including the full enforcement of Republic Act 9257, an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, which amended Republic Act 7432, otherwise known as an act maximizing the contribution of senior citizens to nation building and granting them benefits and special privileges.

A corresponding legislative measure is also in place to support the project, including a mandatory posting of information on senior citizen privileges, making a priority the access of senior citizens to facilities in the establishments and transportation in the city, the expansion of the powers of the Office Senior Citizens Affairs, and the giving of awards and/or incentives to establishments that are senior citizens-friendly.

Meanwhile, the council intends to create a Cebu City Tourism Office and appoint a tourism officer by passing and approving an ordinance that would stipulate the organizational structure of the proposed tourism office and the appointment of a plantilla position for the tourism officer.

On the other hand, the city council intends to approve the master plan for the Solid Waste Management Board and to approve a budgetary allocation for equipment and training of personnel. - Joeberth M. Ocao