Rama wants lights, decors all over city

CEBU, Philippines - With the yuletide season fast approaching, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants to carry out a city-wide lighting and beautification project in major thoroughfares in the city.

Rama has instructed department heads to tap private sectors to have a partnership with the city government on the said project.

“That could be the highlight that we can bring brightness, delight, and light during Christmas. And that could bring the spirit very high towards Christmas, Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit), another Christmas, Sinulog, and International Eucharistic Congress and goes beyond,” he said.

He said that the lighting and beautification project would be a test of “organizational leadership capability” under the people-privately driven governance set-up.

“It’s all about barangayan bayanihan boluntarismo,” he said.

He wants the beautification project to be finished by December 1, 2014.

The Cebu City Tourism Commission is tasked for the beautification and lighting within the Cebu City hall grounds, Fort San Pedro, Plaza Independencia, among others.

The Cultural & Historical Affairs Commission was directed to undertake the project in Compania Maritima, Malacañang sa Sugbo, among others.

Rama said that Kahayag Mission Group, Inc. will be assigned in Mango Avenue towards Salinas Drive, Lahug.

In Imus towards Bulacao and in the stretch of B. Rodriguez towards Mango Avenue, he assigned the livable movement and Cebu City Administrator Lucelle Mercado.

Rama said he is hoping for the support of PLDT Company, Ayala, and SM for the beautification from Pope John Paul II area to SM in Mabolo.

He tasked Bunny Pages and Dr. Ester Concha for the Banilad-Talamban corridor while for Colon Street, which is the oldest street, he asked lawyer Jerone Castillo to be in-charge. Rama asked City Market Administrator Racquel Bohol-Arce to take charge in the beautification of Carbon Market and Roberto Varquez to take charge in the South Road Properties. (FREEMAN)