“A Singapore-like Cebu City.”
This is what Mayor Rama wants for our city. Guided with this vision, he took his oath of office yesterday in front of other elected city officials, family members, employees, and supporters.
In his inaugural message, the mayor revealed his concrete plans and projects for the first 100 days of his upcoming administration, as well as the various programs that he has accomplished in his stint as ascended mayor.
“To borrow my mentor’s mantra: We will make Cebu City second to none. That is not far-fetched. That is not impossible, with God, with BBM, with Sara, the speaker, the senate president, they are all on our side,” he said.
Mayor Rama took his oath before Court of Appeals Justice Jacinto Fajardo, Jr. He was accompanied by his wife Malou; children MJ, Mikel, and Micheline; and a few of his relatives.
In turn, the mayor administered the oath of Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia as well as the city councilors who attended the inauguration.
Elected councilors who were present included Nestor Archival, Sr.; Jerry Guardo; Joel Garganera; Edgardo “Jaypee” Labella II; Joy Augustus Young; Noel Wenceslao; and Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr. for the north district.
For the south district, present were councilors Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros; Joy Pesquera; Phillip Zafra; Renato “Junjun” Osmeña, Jr.; James Anthony Cuenco; Rey Gealon; and Francis Esparis.
In his welcome remarks, Vice Mayor Garcia said he is looking forward to what their incoming administration can do for the city.
He pointed out that in the past three years, even with the pandemic, the City has achieved several projects through the leadership of the late Mayor Edgardo Labella and Mayor Rama.
“My fellow public servants, as we take our oath today, may the resounding trust and confidence reposed upon us by our fellow Cebuanos be a constant reminder to embrace our responsibilities with selfless dedication, integrity, accountability, transparency and ultimately, faithfulness to the Almighty,” he said.
The ceremony started with a Holy Mass celebrated by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.
In his homily, the archbishop underscored the doctrine of vox populi vox dei, or “the voice of people is the voice of God”, referring to the results of the last elections.
He added that not everyone has the passion or capability to be in politics and public service.
“But for those who believe they can offer noble service, we would like to thank you. Thank you for offering your service and ministry for the people in line with serving in government positions,” Palma said.
In a video presentation, Mayor Rama showed his plans for the first 100 days of his new term.
For one, he wants to focus on finishing the remaining items in his 21 priority projects. These are: (1) pay fully the SRP loan; (2) materialize the 93-1 deal; (3) realize the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project; (4) convene a traffic summit; and (5) asphalt city streets.
With the support of the upcoming Sanggunian, the mayor also aims to accomplish the following projects: (1) install public wifi portals; (2) rollout of “Let There Be Light” program to more households; (3) engage developers obliged to undertake socialized housing; (4) plan for a condominium for city hall and other government employees; and (5) equip and modernize the police force.
In his speech, Mayor Rama asked for the support of the City Council in fulfilling the tasks that he set out to do.
“Tabangi lang ko ninyo. Ayaw lang ko ninyo ipaapil sa konseho aron inyo ko insultohon. Perform as fiscalizers. Defend your mayor for I have defended my mayor before,” he said.
There are also several projects that Mayor Rama has identified to focus on. These include:
Bringing life to various infrastructure – putting bougainvillea on the side of flyovers and gardening underneath them; Landscape side streets and make sidewalks accessible; Flared intersections at major crossings; Transforming a portion of Magallanes St., from M.J. Cuenco to Plaza Sugbo, into a promenade and boardwalk; Revisit studies for a Guadalupe-Lahug bypass road; Pursue the Cebu City College; Add the original alignment to the CCLEX from the Guadalupe River; Connect SRP to the mainland through seven bridges; Medium-rise buildings for more barangays; New City Hall at the SRP; Roundabout at the T-Junction in SRP near SM Seaside; Complete the shell of the new CCMC; Clear obstructions along waterways; Improve setup for reblocking; and Bid to host the Palarong Pambansa.
Although it is a tall order for the Mayor, he said he is determined to realize these projects for the city.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several personalities including dignitaries, businessmen, and friends of Mayor Rama.
Among those present was Ayala Land, Inc. President Bobby Dy, who is a good friend of the mayor.
In a short speech, Dy said he first met Mayor Rama seven years ago and that he sees him as a visionary.
“A few things that come to mind when I think of Mayor Mike – first is that his heart, his mind, his soul is all about Cebu. He wants what will be better for the people of Cebu and how he can create a more progressive Cebu,” he said.
On the other hand, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go also extended his congratulations to Mayor Rama through a video message.
He urged the mayor to continue being of service and helping others especially the “hopeless and helpless.”
“Ipadayon ra gihapon nato ang pagserbisyo sa atong mga kaigsuonan. Magtinabangay lang ta,” the senator said. (Cebu City News & Information)
