City prioritizing urban greening

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from anchoring its Executive-Legislative Agenda (ELA) on ensuring the youth’s future, the Cebu City Government has placed “urban greening” at the top of its strategic plan list.

Mayor Michael Rama emphasized at the start of the two-day ELA that the mission of his administration is to bring the youth and children to trust again the government.

The two-day strategic planning, which concluded yesterday, was attended by the City Council and City department heads.

All programs and proposed legislations agreed under the ELA 2013 would be crafted based on what Rama called the Economic Value Administrative Social Environment (EVASE).

Rama said urban greening would be among the City Government’s priority areas.

“Ang urban greening mao ni ang plant, trees, vegetable and flowers… We want Cebu greener,” he said.

He is planning have the City Agriculture Office to tap all schools, establishments and property owners in planting more plants for the environment.

He cited as example the Cebu City Police Office and schools like Cebu Institute of Technology University that planted flowering plants near sidewalks.

He praised Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella for also presenting his office’s vision, mission, and action plan during the ELA.

“Nalipay ko kay sa una ang bise mayor nisulti raman na (I am happy because the former vice mayor just said that) ‘I’m here to support the agenda of the executive (department)’. At least karon si Edgar (Edgardo Labella) ni-present,” the mayor said.

Facilitated by the DILG, the ELA was held at the Montebello Villa Hotel.— /RHM (FREEMAN)