Rama wants downtown area revitalized

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is requesting all establishment owners in the downtown area to repaint their buildings to have a more revitalized and livelier atmosphere in the city.

The mayor requested all business establishments to beautify their respective buildings and the sidewalks that pass along their stores.

"Downtown revitalization is part of what we wish to see in Cebu City. I am appealing and requesting strongly to all establishment owners if they can do repainting. I had this mind when I was passing through going towards CCMC this morning," Rama said.

The rehabilitation of the Cebu City Medical Center will be part of the next level downtown revitalization. The mayor plans to also repaint the whole CCMC building and add some details to the ongoing renovation inside.

Rama wants all buildings along Carbon, Magallanes, Manalili going to Colon be painted to create a livelier atmosphere to the people passing by to shop, especially tourists.

He also wants establishment owners to make sure that the area surrounding their buildings or stores is clean at all times.

Store owners do not have to worry about vendors as he has started implementing the one side vending policy where only one side of the sidewalk is open to vendors for use.

"I will make the request through letters to them. They have to take part kay apil na sila. They cannot be always demanding pero wala sila'y ika-suggest unsay substitute," Rama said.

He also warned those establishments who are extending outside the border of their store to discourage vendors from staying in the area.

"Utro sad sila, double jeopardy. Di na ta sila illegal, ilang gi-create nga illegal sad, so double jeopardy. Mao na amo nang tan-awon because that is not correct," Rama said.

The city government might also distribute or install garbage bins along the sidewalk so people will not have to throw their garbage anywhere. The long time delayed clearing of campaign materials and other paraphernalia from the last elections will be finished the soonest possible time.

At the CCMC, Rama gave instruction to clear the lobby of unnecessary structures like ATM and other vending machines. Rama said that a pleasant and spacious lobby would make patients feel more welcome and safe.

"It is accelerating and heartwarming to see a quite substantial departure of what used to be CCMC with much cab webs. I'm happy that the Pediatric Ward has been relocated where it ought to be at the third floor, not in the ground where it was beside the morgue. There is a continuous activity including face lifting the façade," Rama said. (THE FREEMAN)