Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued an executive order adopting a Singapore-like city as the city's vision. Why is Singapore of many great cities in the world? What is in Singapore that the mayor sees worth emulating?
The Republic of Singapore is a sovereign island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. It is famous for being a global financial center, a world-class airport with a waterfall and botanic garden, and the cleanest and greenest city in the world. Singapore is a country where east meets west, a Gateway to Asia, and a garden city.
Singapore is ranked second in the world and top in Asia for having the best IP protection in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report in 2019. Singapore is ranked first as the world's most competitive country. It competes against Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, and the world in high GDP, gross income, and business opportunities.
Singapore has an affluent market economy, stable political climate, high standard of living, disciplined citizens, superb healthcare, and an excellent educational system. It is among the 20 smallest countries in the world but highly developed and industrialized.
There is a high level of law and order in Singapore. The punishment and penalties for the pettiest crimes are severe. Capital punishment is allowed for high crimes. For families with growing children, parents don't have to worry about their safety even if they travel alone from one place to another. The country was ranked second in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Safe Cities Index after Tokyo. The government-owned education system is ranked consistently as one of the highest in the world.
There is something for everyone in Singapore. Great housing options are available in every size and price category. There are landed houses, state-owned affordable apartments, luxurious condominiums, and traditional shophouses.
With only 704 square kilometers of the total land area of unfertile land and over 5 million people, Singapore's economic development has been highly dependent on investment capital from foreign multinational corporations since 1960. This policy has proven very successful.
The success of Singapore did not happen in one day. It was a product of decades of hard work, teamwork, and discipline by leaders with determination and political well. Singapore has become a symbol and inspiration for many countries in the world. The lack of human and natural resources is no hindrance to achieving progress and prosperity.
Anyone who visits Lion City will be impressed by its glory and magnificent architecture. With awe and admiration, he can bring back the ideal and wishes to live in the land or imitate its master plan.
It happened to the Cebu City Mayor, a well-traveled man with extraordinary vision. His executive order promoting Singapore with culture and tradition is akin to Filipinos. His dream to make Cebu like Singapore is no political gimmick or figure of speech but for real. I saw it in his eyes when he led the USP Alumni pledge support.
Finally, it is a big challenge to the current administration and all Cebuano stakeholders in the private and public sectors to follow and implement the plan and programs. It takes a village to build a smart city like Singapore.