More groups support Singapore-like vision

CEBU, Philippines —  More companies have shown interest in helping Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama realize his Singapore-like city vision, particularly in matters of transportation, housing and school improvements.

During the third investment mission of Mayor Michael Rama, the DYNA Group of Companies have expressed its desire to help the city in the rollout of the bus rapid transit, a cable car system, and a monorail, according to the city’s PIO.

DYNA Chairman Joseph Go told the mayor that his team will conduct a study first, then propose either a joint-venture agreement or other forms of private-public partnership.

Another group, the Abratique & Associates Philippines Inc., a local partner of an unnamed California, USA-based company, has presented to Rama a proposal for an engagement in traffic and transportation solutions.

Based on its website, Abratique & Associates develops conceptual design plans and feasibility studies; or prepares detailed plans, drawings, and specifications for street improvements, traffic signals synchronization, signing and striping, street lighting, and complex automated traffic management control systems.

A&A’s President Efren Abratique told Mayor Rama that his group intends to adopt for Cebu City the system adopted in Davao City.

Meanwhile, two more developers with projects in the city have joined the previous band of real estate builders to erect each a medium-rise building, or MRB, for socialized housing. They are Arthaland Century Pacific Corp. and DECA Homes.

Both companies pledged their commitments to Rama with his working force in separate meetings in Metro Manila recently.

These MRBs will be built in part for those affected by the clearing of the three-meter easement along the city’s eight rivers and waterfronts, according to lawyer Jerone G. Castillo, a special assistant to the mayor.

Arthaland Executive Vice President Christopher Narciso also offered to design for the city a township of MRBs for socialized housing as reported earlier.

For the time being, Arthaland has already extended its help to the city through repair works of the Don Vicente Rama Memorial School in Basak San Nicolas, according to Kristian Hassamal, executive director of the Local School Board.

DECA Homes President Luis Yu, on the other hand, has donated two studio-type condo units in Barangay Tisa as prizes for the next vaccination incentive program of the city, already christened as PaBakunaTa Extravaganza.

Another company, Ulticon Builders Inc., has committed to help with the city’s next reclamation projects.

Ulticon’s Chairman and President Carlos Gonzalez said he will revert soon with the details of what it could do for Cebu City.

Ulticon has presented to the Cebu City delegation its Pasay Harbor Reclamation Project, an engineering feat that can be duplicated here. — GAN (FREEMAN)