To help Rama achieve ‘Singapore-like’ vision: Drilon, Singson join Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  Two more former national officials will help Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama achieve his Singapore-like vision: Former Senator Franklin Drilon and former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Rogelio Singson.

They will join former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Debold Sinas, and Ret. General Melquiades Feliciano as members of the city’s advisory council.

Drilon served as labor and employment secretary, justice secretary, and executive secretary under President Corazon Aquino. Later, he was reappointed as justice secretary by President Fidel Ramos before he became senator for four non-consecutive terms overall: from 1995 to 2007 and 2010 to 2022.

Meanwhile, Singson served in the cabinet of President Benigno Aquino III as Secretary of Public Works and Highways from 2010 to 2016.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart... You are part of the ingredients, essentials, in making a Singapore-like Cebu City,” Rama said.

Both are expected to help in the recovery of the three-meter easement along the city’s waterways, as well help come up with solutions to the city’s perennial problem of flooding.

Singson suggested for the city to adopt the so-called “Deed of Restrictions.”

“In other words, just because you own the lot, you can do whatever you want. Hindi pwede yon. If you will notice, if you go to BGC (Bonifacio Global City), wala kayong makikitang building na dikit-dikit, they have all easement requirements, they can only build what they paid for based on floor area ratios,” Singson said.

Developers stipulate certain conditions for building, known as “Design Guidelines” or “Deed Restrictions.” This is a list of regulations that describes explicitly the conditions and limitations a lot owner must work with in designing and building structures.

Singson added that among the critical priorities that should be addressed is the adoption of an integrated water resources and coastal management program for the city.

“Ibig sabihin, from watershed, all of the river systems, all the way to the coastal, you manage. You have to manage that if you want a city similar to Singapore,” he explained.

“Andyan yung tubig, i-manage niyo lang sa upstream, regulate the flow of water on rivers so that it doesn't cause damage on private properties, on farmlands,” he added.

Further, Singson said that medium-rise buildings (MRBs) should be constructed immediately so that the informal settlers in the city’s waterways will have a place to relocate to.

He said DPWH can help in flood control efforts provided an area is available for them to do proper river embankment.

Drilon, for his part, said that one of the challenges that will have to be addressed is the transfer of the 15-16,000 informal settlers at the city’s rivers.

“The willingness to help will be there... We look forward to being able to see a Singapore-like Cebu City in our lifetime,” Drilon said.

‘New Cebu’

Meanwhile, Cimatu said he would rather call the vision ‘new Cebu’ rather than ‘Singapore-like’.

He said Singapore can be the inspiration but “A new Cebu (city). Ito yung ito-turn over natin sa next generation. As much as possible, hindi ko ginagamit itong ‘Singapore-like’ kasi sa akin, we can make a new Cebu, a new Cebu City,” he said.

To achieve a new city, Cimatu said the city needs to improve its sewage system as it is not properly implemented.

“I propose, we have to do something sa sewage system… Nakikita yan ng mga turista… floating garbage… Hindi pa masyadong nai-implement ang R.A. 9003 na bataas,” he said, referring to the law that requires an ecological solid waste management program from local government units.

“Kailangang ayusin mo yang environment, kasi yang yan ang pinagmamalaki ng Singapore, ang kanilang environment… therefore, yan ang una nating gagawin,” Cimatu said.

Cimatu said Singapore also used to have a problem with one of its rivers – a problem the city-state fixed for 10 years.

Cebu City, on the other hand, needs to revive seven major rivers.

The task might be herculean but Cimatu is optimistic it can be done, especially with Drilon and Singson now on board.

He said he admires what Drilon did to Iloilo and the illegal settlers, and even private entities that were building structures on the river itself. Such transformation has become a model for other areas in the country, Cimatu said.

Along with this, Cimatu proposed the rationalization of all public and private infrastructures.

“Hindi basta na lang magbigay ka ng mga building permits… masisira na naman… like Boracay, walang ka plano-plano,” he said.

“Singapore, napaka orderly… infrastructure, government services… at saka settlement ng mga tao… naayos nila,” Cimatu noted.  - Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, JMO (FREEMAN)