City eyes projects in Guba property

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is eyeing at utilizing its 29-hectare property in the mountain barangay of Guba for several projects, including a retirement village for senior citizens, a housing project for the urban poor and an experimental station for agriculture.

If the plan pushes through, the projects will be implemented by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, and the Department of Agriculture, said city agriculturist Joey Baclayon.

“Mga seniors (can avail) kanang ganahan sa village. So this is going to be a township somehow,” he said.

“Meaning, mao nay mahimong showcase area for all the types of agriculture technology. Naa diha ang livestock, naa diha ang orchard, sunflowers, naa diha ang laboratory. I-incorporate kanang mga villages (for the seniors) kanang mga housing projects,” he added.

The city has partnered with the University of San Carlos in planning for the projects and in conducting survey.

While this is ongoing, the DA has utilized the area by planting various crops.

Baclayon said the projects will be a way of extending development to the city’s mountain barangays.

“This time, ato nang ma-develop ang mountain barangays. We can also help them,” he said.

Mayor Michael Rama has also considered building a Cebu City College in mountain barangays.

“Og naa tay mga colleges in the mountain barangay, di na manaog ang taga bukid and if we have development in the mountain barangay we will see the future that there will be a city within the city,” Rama said earlier.

Aside from the school, Rama also wants to open police stations there.

“Cebu City is 80% mountain (rural) and 20% (urban) and development is growing up,” he said. — Mechelle P. Florita/JMO (FREEMAN)