For ‘Singapore-like’ Cebu City: Marcos backs Rama’s vision

CEBU, Philippines — President Bongbong Marcos is supporting Mayor Michael Rama’s vision of making a “Singapore-like Cebu City,” the mayor said following his meeting with the former on Friday.

In a post to his official Facebook page, Rama said that he relayed Marcos his plan of making Cebu City like a little Singapore, adding that the same was warmly received by the president.

Rama met the President on Friday in the Malacanang.

With Rama during the meeting were his special assistant for fiscal management, Atty. Jerone Castillo, his wife and son Malou and MJ, SRP Manager Roberto “Bu” Varquez, new City Planning and Development Office Architect Joseph Michael “Yumi” Espina, Secretary to the Mayor Atty. Collin Rosell, Protocol Officer Kris Janson, and Cebu City South District Rep. Eduardo Rama Jr.

In a separate post, Rep. Rama said it was a privilege on his part to have joined the conversation between Marcos and Mayor Rama on the vision of making Cebu City just like Singapore.

The congressman likewise shared that among those discussed was how the national government could help local governments like Cebu City in some pressing issues.

“We are optimistic that the President will support the further development and growth of Cebu City,” Rep. Rama said.

Aside from these, no concrete details were provided, though, as to how exactly will the administration of President Marcos would help Rama in achieving his vision.

BAY WALK

Meanwhile, a bay walk will soon be built along the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) in the South Road Properties (SRP), providing an excellent vantage point for viewing the new Cebu Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) 7 is working on this project to build a roundabout at the intersection of F. Vestil St., which has already begun.

As reported by the Cebu City's Public Information Office, DPWH-7 maintenance division chief Engr. Faustino Dela Cruz, Jr. said that the one-kilometer pedestrian bay walk will be around five meters wide.

“Si Mayor (Michael Rama) is promoting Cebu City. Ang nakanindot ani is this can be part of our tourist destination later on. People can view the CCLEX from there,” he said.

The bay walk will begin across SM Seaside City Cebu and extend until the vicinity of the SRP viaduct and CCLEX off-ramp.

The DPWH-7 contractor is currently engaged in pile driving operations and offshore protection for the project of widening the coastal road crossing SM Seaside. As a result, they will then be able to widen the road towards the sea.

This is a portion of the P250 million initial phase of the entire SRP roundabout project, which Engr. Dela Cruz conceptualized with the help of his maintenance division employees.

The first phase of construction began in the second quarter of 2022 and is scheduled to be completed in the first half of next year.

The DPWH will provide funding for all four of the project's phases within the next two years. This includes the completion of the bay walk, widening and improving of F. Vestil, building the actual roundabout, and other road improvements.

Dela Cruz stated that the total cost of the project could reach P900 million.

He also said that they are making every effort to complete the project on time and within Mayor Rama's three-year term. — Shaina Fame Marie P. Mabatid/JMD (FREEMAN)