Freeman editors’ choice: 3 stories of the year 2022
CJJ applauds
Scene in downtown Cebu City, after a downpour on Aug. 17, 2022. (Freeman photo: Aldo Nelbert Banaynal)
Freeman editors’ choice: 3 stories of the year 2022
1. ‘War’ vs. floods starts
BY CAECENT NO-OT MAGSUMBOL
First published in The Freeman, Sept. 17, 2022
CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City began its ‘war’ against flooding and recovery of its major rivers with the demolition of a government property found to be obstructing the flow of water.
Former environment secretary Roy Cimatu, now a consultant for the city, led the destruction of a concrete wall at Pier 3 so that the city’s clearing team could access the waterway.
Roy Cimatu, chief of Cebu City’s Gubat sa Baha Task Force, serves notice of easement violation on owners of two business establishments, telling them to demolish voluntarily parts of their buildings that encroach on the three-meter easement. One of the salvos in the city’s campaign against floods. (Photo by Ramil Ayuman of Cebu City Hall)
Cimatu said earlier there should have been no reinforced bridge and road over that area being on the mouth of the Lahug River.
Cimatu said they will assess the situation moving forward to see if the flooding problem would be addressed by the wall’s removal. If not, more demolition work might have to be done.
“We understand their mission, but we also have our own intentions of doing this… nagkakaintindihan naman,” Cimatu said.
After Pier 3, Cimatu’s team proceeded to Pier 2 to address a similar situation.
Aside from these areas, the city is also looking at the city jail, another government-owned property that deposits its wastes directly to the Guadalupe River.
Cimatu said the top priorities are the obstructions to the city’s waterways.
“Yung immediate kasi ngayon ay yung nakaka-block ng waste… Yan ang uunahin natin ngayon, tulad nito (CPA)… meron pa yatang river sa Pier 2 similar nito… ganun din gagawin natin…Yung mga outlet ng water, buksan na natin,” Cimatu said.
Cimatu also said earlier that private establishments that encroach on the three-meter easement from waterways should take the initiative of demolishing the structures that block.
“They will be given notice… There is a process dito,” Cimatu said.
Cimatu said that aside from freeing them of garbage, the city’s rivers need to be deepened and widened to accommodate heavy rainfall, to prevent flooding.
On Saturday, September 17, Cebu City continues the battle in observance of International Clean-up Day. Its own clean-up will be the biggest yet with over 10,000 individuals from different government agencies and residents participating.
Some of the participants will be cleaning the 8.6-kilometer stretch of the Mahiga River, the 10.43-kilometer Lahug River, the 1.15-kilometer Estero de Parian, the 12.93-kilometer Guadalupe River, the 9.3-kilometer Kinalumsan River, the 5.76-kilometer Cogon-Pardo River, and the 13.8-kilometer Bulacao River.
They will also clean other waterways identified by organizers.
Barangay officials are also expected to lend a hand in the clean-up, even those from barangays not affected directly by the flooding problem.
Cimatu played a crucial role in the enforcement of protocols in Cebu City at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when the city was tagged as the epicenter of the pandemic in the Philippines in June 2020. 
“Tops,” viewed from up there. Cebu City’s famous lookout, which had operated for 37 years, closed down on Oct. 21, 2022 for “redevelopment.” (Freeman photo by Joy Torrejos)
2. ‘Tops’ up in Busay closes, to redevelop
BY CAECENT NO-OT MAGSUMBOL
First published in The Freeman, Oct. 2, 2022
CEBU, Philippines — Cebuanos and tourists have until October 21to see the view from The Top.
Known commonly as “Tops,” Cebu City’s famous lookout in the mountain barangay of Busay will close its doors after 37 years to pave way for redevelopment, its management said on Saturday, October 1.
The Top was opened in 1985.
“We wish to inform the people of Cebu that Tops lookout will be closing this October 21, 2022… It will reopen sometime in the foreseeable future as a joint venture between Fifth Avenue Property Development Corporation and EMRO Holdings, Incorporated,” reads an official statement.
The developer assured that the tourist attraction will retain the lookout but with a brand new look that is world-class.
“We respect and fully commit to this legacy. Despite its temporary closure, we are keeping and enhancing what it has always been while building new things to make Tops even better,” the statement reads further.
The redevelopment is expected to introduce more brands for Cebu and its visitors.
Raymund Cerna, the spokesperson for the joint venture, said entrance fee will remain at P100 even after redevelopment.
To kick start the transition, a party will be held to celebrate Tops’ legacy for Cebu. It will feature the best Cebuano DJs and artists, Cerna said. The party will have an entrance fee of P200.
“Tops belongs to all Cebuanos. All of us have a Tops story to tell. It is for that reason we hope to see everyone at our party on October 21, Friday. Til then, Tops!” he said further.
Aside from the party, the public can also participate in several contests, including a Tiktok Dance Challenge, Tops photo contest, My Tops storytelling, and a painting competition.
Those interested can check out Tops’ social media accounts.
An image of “Singapore-like”-wannabe Cebu City. The project is more than a comparison of skylines. It involves raising multiple taxes to collect funds for a 2023 P50 billion budget. (Freeman photo by Aldo Nelbert Banaynal)
3. Rama sets out Singapore-like vision
BY MARY RUTH R. MALINAO
First published in The Freeman, Aug. 20, 2022
CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has issued an executive order adopting a Singapore-like city as the city’s vision and establishing a public-private special corporate-oriented structure, platform, and mechanism for the purpose.
“To realize the city’s vision, an inclusive, functional, efficient structure and mechanism must be adopted and formed to ensure success in its related plans, activities, projects, and programs with the participation of all stakeholders,” read the EO which was presented by lawyer Collin Rosell, secretary to the mayor, during a press conference Friday.
“Consistent with the promotion of general welfare and the efficient delivery of basic services, it is imperative to adopt and create a ‘Public-Private Special Corporate-Oriented Structure’ to establish the mechanisms, contain the paradigm paralysis, and implement with utmost efficiency the developmental components of a Singapore-like Cebu City anchored on the platform BARUG CEBU CITY,” it added.
The EO states that all government plans, activities, projects, and programs of the city, whether local or national, which are aligned to the said vision must be given priority and carried out with dispatch.
“BARUG CEBU CITY”, or the city government’s platform and policy direction, stands for Better business environment and employment opportunity; Adequate water supply; Resettlement on housing; Urban and upland development; Good governance, public order and safety, disaster resiliency; Comprehensive educational support; Environmental management and sustainability; Barangay welfare and community development; Universal healthcare, programs for the elderly and persons with disability; Culture, history, arts and tourism, spiritual upliftment; Information technology and advancement; Traffic management and mass transit system; Youth, children, and sports development.
Section 3 provides that a Public-Private Special Corporate-Oriented Structure is hereby created to primarily establish and provide the mechanism, layout the exacting standards and timeline of implementation, optimize the use of resources including the required activities for planning, organizing, directing, controlling, leading, innovating, sustaining, and maintaining the plans, activities, projects, and programs, which are consistent with the policy direction leading to a Singapore-like Cebu City.
It shall be composed of the Board of Directors composed of the chairman, chairman emeritus, members; the management composed of the president, executive officer, executive vice president, chief operation officer, vice president for specialized fields; general managers composed of the head of the cluster departments, offices, committees, bodies, and commissions of the city government; Employees Association and other workers group of the city government, among others.
Section 5 provides for the establishment of the External Structure Complement as part of the Public-Private Special Corporate Oriented Structure.
The group will mainly handle external affairs, linkages, and foster better coordination with the national government and private sector which shall be composed of persons with proven track records and competence in various fields of public service and who are not organic officials and employees of Cebu City government.
The External Structure Complement is organized like the Cabinet of the President of the national government, which has a president, executive secretary, and secretaries of departments.
Further, an Advisory Council is formed as part of the structure.
Its purpose is to provide basis and insights for a sound and informed decision in the implementation of the plans, activities, projects, and programs which are aligned to the vision.
There will also be a Labor Management Committee that shall primarily advance workplace relations and enhancement as well as promote mutual trust and respect through information sharing, discussion, consultation, and negotiation, among others.
Meanwhile, the Employees Association shall serve as a primary action center and workforce for the implementation of the plans, activities, programs and projects relative to the vision and platform of the aforementioned transformational governance.
After reading the said EO, Rosell presented a draft table of organization which is still subject for refinement. It will be finalized in due time when the mayor returns to the city.