CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama has said no public funds were used during a week-long “working vacation” together with his family in Singapore.

Rama returned to work at City Hall on Monday, Nov. 28, 2022, and during the flag-raising ceremony, the mayor said “not a single centavo” from the City Government’s coffers was used to pay for their travel.

According to a report from the Public Information Office, Rama’s vacation included official activities that were in line with his Singapore-like vision for Cebu City.

The mayor further said he is willing to sacrifice his own money for the service of the people.

“Ang katigayonan dili na makapabuhi ninyo. Pero ang sa serbisyo nga gi-offer ninyo... ikaw dili makalimtan sa mga tawo nga pirmi mohinumdom nimo...bisan patay ka na,” said Rama.

(Wealth cannot give you life. But with the service you have offered, you will not be forgotten by the people even if you are already dead.)

Rama first visited the Philippine Embassy in Singapore where he presented his vision for Cebu City.

He then met with officials from the Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry to learn good practices and systems that can help the business sector in Cebu City.

The mayor was also able to meet representatives from the Housing Development Board of Singapore and they tackled the ways of building decent homes for everyone.

The Land Transportation Authority and the National Water Agency of Singapore also discussed with Rama the new technologies being used in their field.

With his plan of building more open spaces and parks for the Cebuanos, Rama also met with representatives from Singapore’s National Parks Boards. (IRT)