Plans for Cebu

Multi-billion projects as well as mega plans for Cebu have been announced recently. PNoy, as well as leading business leaders of Cebu, have unfolded what they think Cebu needs in the near future. All their plans and projects so far will entail much funds, much public funds included. Are their plans and projects shared by the rest of Cebuanos? Or have the Cebuanos been informed about these projects and their consent solicited?

Reported proposed infrastructure projects will include more roads and bridges that will connect communities, even provinces, and will facilitate movement of goods and people. The newly inaugurated P3.7 billion Mactan Island Circumferential Road is expected to reduce travel time from Cebu City to Mactan island by 15 minutes. About P9 billion is allotted for an experimental phase of the bus rapid transit system, another P1.3 billion for a New Naga Power Substation, another P166 million for Cebu Port Authority Management Information System, P1.4 billion for a feasibility study for road improvement from Cebu City to San Remigio, some more funds for the Cebu-Bohol Multi-Access Friendship Bridge and Cebu-Negros Oriental link.

About P702 million is allocated for additional water supply to Metro Cebu through the Carmen Water Project. Another P130 million and more funds have been set aside for a comprehensive study on Metro Cebu Integrated Flood and Drainage Masterplan and a feasibility study on Metropolitan Cebu Traffic Masterplan, respectively.

Funds for the poor are expected to continue, through the CCT (the conditional cash transfer). About P804,177,000 was reported to have benefitted about 117,340 households in Cebu as of February 2013. About 18 Irrigation projects have been announced for various places as well in Cebu.

Mega plans proposed by the business community for Mega Cebu within a 30-year time frame will include areas such as transport and traffic management, infrastructure and utilities, environment and health, public safety and security.

Will the various multi-billion projects and mega plans benefit the most needy whose needs are basic, urgent and immediate - food for their hunger, shelter for their household, clean and safe water supply, and sanitary toilets? Not to mention jobs and employment to assure their daily survival so that they will still be around and their lives better from now until the 30-year horizon envisioned by political and business leaders?

Is there room for the micro, basic necessities of the most needy to be harmonized, and prioritized even, with the multi-billion and mega plans and projects proposed by those in politics and in business?

That would be ideal - to see Cebu City and Cebu Province, and every other place all over this country, self-reliant - provided adequately with sustainable food and clean, safe water supply, functioning sanitary toilets, safe and secured shelter, and, sustainable jobs with sufficient income, accessible and affordable health, education and other welfare services. If these basic requirements are prioritized first within the next 3-5 years, and add in effective, participatory, responsive governance, peace and order, within healthy and sustainable environment - that would really be so ideal!

Let us involve everyone in the planning and implementation processes, including in the budgeting, evaluation and monitoring stages of this collective and collaborative movement towards a better Cebu, a better Philippines soon. Starting with and prioritizing and providing for basic and essential needs, services and facilities, by all means, let us all dream and work together to have our ideal community in our midst within the soonest time frame as possible.

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