City projects worth P15 billion Okayed

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Development Council (CCDC) has approved Wednesday the Annual Investment Program (AIP) 2020 amounting to P15 billion.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia confirmed the CCDC’s approval of the program yesterday.

“From the AIP, the mayor will prioritize kung unsa iyang isud sa annual budget,” said Garcia.

Garcia said that the programs include priority projects of Mayor Edgardo Labella such as those concerning traffic, education, housing, and the Carbon Public Market modernization, to name a few.

He said that as of the moment, the amounts coming from the AIP budget allocated for each project are yet to be announced.

For the upgrade of the city's traffic system, P250 million from the P3.8 billion Supplemental Budget 2 has already been allocated.

“As you can see, if you go to Talisay, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, traffic lights are already digital. In Cebu, walay digital nga makit-an,” said Garcia.

For the housing projects, Garcia said that there will be a budget allocated for the construction of two or three more medium-rise buildings.

The city government already held last September 18 the groundbreaking ceremony for the first medium-rise building that will be constructed in Barangay Lorega.

“The aim is to have zero squatters in the city,” said Garcia.

Garcia mentioned that the housing projects will serve as relocation areas for the riverside residents and for the residents affected by demolitions.

In terms of education, an ordinance was made for the establishment of Cebu City College (CCC), which is being planned to be constructed at the Ramos Public Market.

“The mayor will allocate funds for that,” said Garcia.

He assured that the vendors of the market will be relocated.

For the Carbon Public Market, a budget has been allocated for the renovation of the market's Units 2 and 3.

Garcia said that Labella is entertaining proposals from private firms for the improvement, modernization, and cleanliness of the market.

The CCDC is composed of non-government organizations that come up with projects for the city. JMD (FREEMAN)