Singapore model for QC development eyed

Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday his administration wants to replicate the success of Singapore in the implementation of social, environmental and development programs for his 2.4 million constituents.

In his New Year message to City Hall employees, Belmonte said he is looking at Singapore as a model in terms of discipline, cleanliness and the promotion of community involvement.

"We are looking at a Singapore model for Quezon City," the mayor said.

He was referring to the effective management adopted by former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yu, who turned the city-state of Singapore into one of the most prosperous countries in Asia.

Belmonte revealed his plans as he presented city workers the prestigious Galing Pook Award, which the city government won for its Molave Youth Home (MYH) program.

The award was given by no less than President Arroyo during ceremonies held at Malacañang Palace last Dec. 20.

Belmonte said this is the first time that a social service program implemented by the city government won the Galing Pook Award. The youth facility, located inside the City Hall compound, is committed to developing and transforming young wards from juvenile delinquents to productive members of the community.

The mayor also announced that two environmental programs have started getting international recognition.

The Payatas power generation program, which taps methane gas emitted by garbage, is now gaining international prominence not only for its power generation, but for containing methane gas, which according to recent studies is destroying the ozone layer.

"Apart from generating power, we are also helping the preservation of the ozone layer," Belmonte said.

The Sagip Batis program, on the other hand, has been cited by the Japan-based Disaster Management Center as among the sound practices being adopted by major cities in the world in preventing disasters.

The Sagip Batis program is an annual activity that involves the participation of communities in clearing waterways, rivers and creeks in the city. It has contributed to the reduction of flooding in various parts of the city.

The mayor said the significant aspect of the Sagip Batis program is the involvement of residents in barangays near waterways.

"This is the sense of community development, the sense of discipline that we want to promote among residents," he said.