Mandaue begins ambitious rehab, beautification project

CEBU, Philippines - The city’s sidewalk beautification program will finally be enforced now that ambulant vendors are gone from sidewalks near city hall.

Architect Delia Rodrigo, head of the City Planning and Development Office, yesterday said the P14-million budget intended for the rehabilitation of the drainage along B. Ceniza Street and the P8 million budget intended for the beautification of sidewalks around city hall is now available.

First to be given a facelift are sidewalks along B. Ceniza Street, Burgos Street, and Zamora Street.

But Rodrigo said work will be in full swing at the end of May yet, as bidding is still underway, the winner of which will undertake the project.

Rodrigo also said that two weeks ago the Taga Mandaue Inc., the NGO tasked by Mayor Jonas Cortes to be the implementor of the project has already started painting sidewalks in front of city hall after having donated P13,000 worth of cans of paint and “almagre.”

The Taga Mandaue Inc. has one year to complete the project.

Rodrigo said the beautification project will spread to other barangays once the group is done with barangay Centro where city hall is located.

She also said vendors that sell native delicacies will group together on April 30, the day the “Pasalubong Center” will mark its soft opening.

The center will sit on a vacant lot owned by the Sanchez family at the corner of Suson Street and A. O. del Rosario Street.

Aside from native delicacies, the city’s own products will also be displayed at center.

Coca Cola Bottlers Philippines will donate the stalls and tents. — (FREEMAN)