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Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Go beyond facelift in preparations: guv
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday told members of the organizing committees for the Asean summit not to put up an “artificial face” for Cebu for the activity but strive to make beauty and orderliness a “habit, a way of life.”
This is because committees in charge of infrastructure and beautification are holding off projects such as repainting because the summit is still far and the paint will already be damaged during the activities.
In earlier meetings, the committee on beautification had also said that they will put flowers on the islands only when the summit is near as they will use flower pots so that those that wither can easily be replaced.
Systemic change
“Let’s not confine ourselves to the Asean alone. This is an opportunity to change our attitude. This should not be (a) facelift but systemic change. We paint gutters and walls and if these are damaged and vandalized then we paint them again and again until they give up and not us,” she said.
“It’s time we start imbibing this culture of cleanliness, beauty and orderliness because that’s the way it should be,” she added.
Garcia said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit preparation is just the starting point for “raising the level of excellence,” which should be in place not just for four days. “We shift from temporary mode to permanent mode.”
She wants local government units and the PNP to go after those who urinate in public, and “apply pressure and temper” to eyesore private establishments to improve their façade.
Deadline is on Oct. 15, including the painting of the two bridges connecting Mactan to mainland Cebu.
A clean environment will also reduce crime rate, she said.
“Let us be proud of being sparkling clean, charmingly beautiful everyday. You are what your environment is,” she said.
The more than 1,000 policemen present to augment authorities for the summit can be asked to help strictly implement local ordinances such as against urinating in public.
“Let’s try not to accommodate those who relieve themselves in public display of disaffection,” said the governor.
Timetable
Garcia required the Department of Public Works and Highways to submit in the next meeting on Oct. 2 a progress report and timetable for all road sections that need to be improved, and what has been accomplished. She wants “before and after” photos of these road sections or bridges, saying that the agency has been reporting things “in general terms.”
As for the private establishments, Garcia said, they need to cooperate in cleaning up and improving their façade or structures.
“We make this a habit rather than put on, then everything will be so easy,” she said.
Philippine Ambassador to the Asean Marciano Paynor will also ask the Bureau of Plant Industry to help in the planting of sampaguita flowers in major thoroughfares.
Sampaguita will also fill the Cebu International Convention Center, so its smell will “waft through the air.”
Also, the Cebu Archdiocese and other religious denominations will have representations in the organizing committee for the Asean.
Fr. Carmelo Diola started attending yesterday’s meeting.
Garcia wants prayers to start every meeting. She thanked Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal for asking all parishes to pray for the success of the summit. (JPM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (September 20, 2006 issue)
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