IN ITS pursuit of achieving a Singapore-like status, the Cebu City Government is now ordering the recovery, protection and development of the city's waterfront and its immediate vicinity.
Mayor Michael Rama signed an executive order (EO) Friday, Aug. 19, 2022, to immediately implement the recovery of its coastline to be conducted by the city's Waterfront Development Commission (WDC).
The initiative includes the clearing of all structures that impede the outflow of the waterway and illegal structures extending or constructed on non-buildable areas.
The waterfront of the city is composed of its municipal waters and immediate vicinity which is not less than two kilometers from the high-level watermark of the sea.
"The City of Cebu shall immediately implement its waterfront recovery and management program consisting of the recovery, restoration, protection, preservation, development and enhancement of the city's waterfront," read a portion of the EO.
Rama's EO also called for the transfer of informal settlers to a temporary relocation facility or schools.
The program aims to promote tourism by offering water sports activities and enhancing the port and passengers in coordination with the shipping industry.
The city's waterfront extends from Barangay Mabolo in the north to Barangay Inayawan in the south.
Rama's EO also gave the WDC authority to ask for support and coordination from other City Hall offices for the implementation of its programs.