Mayor Michael Rama promises: City to be more exciting, livable

CEBU, Philippines — After baring the Cebu City government’s accomplishment during the first year of his administration, Mayor Michael Rama promised to make the city more interesting, exciting and livable.

During the Thanksgiving Dinner after his People’s State of the City Address, Rama bared a 30-point policy that the city government is pursuing.

Rama directed the review of the City Zoning Ordinance and National Building Code.

“The thrust that I’ve been telling the zoning ..we should be looking beyond and convert the city of Cebu a walkable city…Raking, clearing, dismantling. No sacred cows.. For water to flow, for heritage to be preserved, for the rule of law should be observed,” Mayor Rama said.

The Zoning Board, the Office the Building Official and the Department of Engineering and Public Works are also directed to implement an “aggressive, massive” campaign to recover the three-meter easement in rivers, sidewalks, and setbacks as well as to conduct building inspection.

Along with this, the Gubat sa Baha and Oplan Likay sa Landslide will also continue doing concreting and drainage works.

“It’s my dream that a drop of water should not anymore be seen on the road..when there is no rain…But definitely, when it rains, there will always be water, but, that should be pursued with aggressiveness..in storm, and massive..not only..but three times, ..24/7/one day, make 3 days in 1 day…that is what we will be pursuing. As a Human Resource Manager, I know what I am talking about, this is about efficiency..this is about no non-sense delivery of public service!” Rama explained.

And to make the city even more beautiful, it has to be free from garbage 24/7, graffiti, and street dwellers and without container yards, the mayor said.

The mayor also discussed the 93-1 lot as another resettlement program, aside from the other areas pursued to give the homeless their permanent settlement.

“As long as I am your mayor, I will never stop, up to the last drop of my blood..putting order to the city even if it takes…I don't mind dying…pray for me!” said Rama.

He told the shipping industry to “revolutionize” but ensure that goods and materials will be available and delivered to the city efficiently and at the best price.

On the waterfront development, Rama told Vice Mayor Raymond Garcia to pursue the south and north coastal development initiative.

Promotion of Culture, History, Arts, and Tourism; repair of school buildings; building of modern libraries, and reading centers; and implementation of mass transit including cable cars, trains, monorail and water bus will also be pursued.

Rama also said he doesn’t mind if the intelligence fund will be drained as long as the peace and order and public safety in the city are maintained. He is also looking into the full utilization of the Local Development Fund.

On health, the mayor reiterated his intention to finish the construction of the Cebu City Medical Center.

“Up to the last drop of my blood, I guarantee, CCMC will be finished..Without money from the City government. We have a very strong private sector….We will make it happen…private sector, help your Mayor, we will make it happen!” said Rama.

Rama also told the City Hall Assistance on Medicines Program (CHAMP) to settle all hospital obligations and promised to settle other payables of the city government to its suppliers and service providers.

He said there should be no more delays in the salary of employees and job orders of the City Hall.

“That should be stopped! Whoever is the person responsible (in the delay of processing the salaries)…tender your resignation..I will terminate! di mo ganahan e terminate? Then do your job!” Rama said.

Rama also warned that employees caught taking advantage of taxes will be terminated as the city pursues the aggressive collection of real property and business taxes, and other fees.

Meanwhile, the mayor also included in the policy direction the forthcoming barangay elections.

“We should be God-fearing, barangay, ayaw mo pag-ayaw, kay masudlan mog panuway.

Its a pro-people direction …being an independent (Mayor), I want a true, genuine and authentic governance…We will confront graft and corruption,” said Rama.

To achieve his vision, Rama is asking for everyone’s cooperation and support.

“I wish very clearly, enough for pretenders and mentally dishonest…Inclusivity, I cannot function effectively being divided..It should be inclusivity... Unity amidst diversity. I need all of you! Singapore-like Cebu City,” he said. — (FREEMAN)