‘SINGAPORE-LIKE’ DEV’T. Mayor Michael Rama delivers his State of the City Address in front of Magellan's Cross on Monday (July 3, 2023). Rama reiterated his administration's ambition to transform Cebu City into a Singapore-like metropolis. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO)
CEBU CITY – Mayor Michael Rama on Monday said his administration is determined to attain his commitment to bring the city in development similar to what Singapore has achieved so far.
“It’s people’s collective aspiration toward Singapore-like Cebu City. It’s not my vision but a collected aspiration,” said Rama in his State of the City address delivered before the city and provincial officials in front of the Magellan’s Cross across the city hall.
Before the mayor’s speech, an audio-visual was shown reiterating his administration’s commitment to transform this capital city into a city-state and island country in Southeast Asia.
Rama pitched in his administration’s effort for an enhanced framework of governance in the city that will benefit the present and future generations.
Rama cited his plan to transform the Cebu City South Road Properties into a “majestic coastal area”, side by side with the enhancement of the downtown area that would make it a more colorful retail hub in the capital.
He said the business community has committed to assisting the city government in its effort to establish convergence to make the midtown trading district into a bustling uptown area.
In a bid to make the city’s socio-economic development inclusive, Rama said they include the stabilization of the upland village folks’ life through balancing between development and environment.
“We cannot reach this far. I cannot do much. No matter how I move you, stir you, motivate you, if you have not imbibed in mind, in heart, and in soul, the collective aspiration,” he added.
Amid the plan to build two dams in the city to answer water woes here, Rama said he is also in talks with a tycoon in Manila to help him realize the project.
Some netizens supported Rama's program inspired by Singaporean development, but some social media users expressed reservations about its viability, citing it as "too ambitious" and the differences in culture and political setup between Singapore and Cebu City. (PNA)
