IT HAS been a few days since the inauguration of the new Cebu City administration in the hands of Mayor Edgardo Labella and Vice Mayor Michael Rama. I am positive that change will come in the city, specifically in terms of flooding, waste disposal and traffic. Mayor Labella did vow to solve these problems during his inauguration speech.
As a Cebuano, I know it will not be easy to eradicate these problems with just the Cebu City Government working alone. We, as Cebuanos, need to work hand in hand with the government. We need to do our little part to make Cebu City one of the top cities in the Philippines again!
As a citizen, I always read and watch national and local news so I can be updated on what is going on in our country. That’s how I came across Manila Mayor Isko Moreno. What he has done so far since assuming office shows he has political will. He has cleaned up areas in the city people thought would never get cleaned up by imposing discipline.
It always saddens me when I walk the city streets from Colon to Capitol, where I reside. Part of my daily routine is to walk from the Cebu City Sports Complex to Capitol. And I’ve seen trash everywhere, ruining the environment of Cebu City and causing floods. It flows into the drainage system every time it pours.
So the question is, where does the trash come from? From undisciplined or educated people? Inside the Cebu City Sports Complex, on the oval, there are plastic products everywhere: discarded plastic used for ice water, empty water bottles, candy wrappers and even chewing gums.
Is it time we imposed strict rules on the disposal of trash on the streets? Fine those violators! I think the City Government will also need to address the proliferation of sidewalk vendors who are the source of these plastic products.
Riding jeepneys as one of the modes of public transportation is a cheap and easy way to get to your destination. I, too, ride jeepneys! But traffic in the city has gotten worse. Traffic is everywhere, even in other countries.
But the problem here can be traced to the lack of discipline. Discipline is needed whether you are the driver, passenger or the pedestrian. Jeepney drivers should only drop and pick up passengers at designated areas. Same with the passengers, you should only ride and step out of the jeepney at designated areas. Private vehicles like cars and motorcycles should not use pavement for parking. Pavements are intended for pedestrians.
And again, the blatant violators are educated Cebuanos.
The City Government should strictly enforce rules with regard to these problems. And so please, eradicate any form of criminality! As to the other problems that we encounter as Cebuanos that need to be addressed, let’s us work together. For Cebu City!