I would want to believe that my city, Cebu, is one of the commendable cities in the Philippines. Notwithstanding the natural beauty it has to bestow resulting to the increase of tourists coming in, Cebu — with its robust and bristling economy — has become the envy of businessmen all over the country. However, there are many critical issues still that hinders ordinary people to reap the benefits of the city's economic growth.
Based on the indicators of sustainability, Cebu is still far from where it intends to go. I see the links joining the economy (jobs, materials for production, stockholder profits), environment (water quality, air quality, natural resources) and society (education, health, poverty, crime) as frail.
Water quality may not come as a heavy issue. What is bothering is the scarcity of the water supply. Water problem is presently haunting Central Cebu because of the lack of a coherent strategy or water resources management board to implement water reforms. That said, Metro Cebu now holds “the highest” cost of drinking water in the whole archipelago. Without an action plan, in few more years, Cebu will go from a situation of water scarcity to shortage.
As in the case of crime rate, I am sure, the city deserves poor mark. Although, based from a survey conducted lately, petty crimes decreased in number, the rise of heavy crimes was unbelievably tremendous. There is a continuing summary of killings happening, vigilante-style of murders, where pickpockets and snatchers and other criminals are executed one by one, silently, by motorcycle-riding hitmen. This is a big blow to the city, to the justice system and to the very basic laws of God.
Professional jobs are a scarcity in the city. Certainly the government failed in its scheme to generate jobs for all. Most of my friends have been hoping to find greener pastures abroad. If this goes on longer, expect the brain drain to only get worse.
These are just few of the weak links that badly calls for proper attention by our civil servants. There is a room for improvement and the indicators above simply point the way to a better tomorrow. The public officials surely know this. They aren't dumb. So they should stop acting!
Cebu will head to a bright future, if the partnership of the government and the private sector strengthens. This is according to a business leader.
According to me, Cebu will head to a bright future if the philosophy of our leaders today is to create shared vision for good governance!
For you, what do you think are the measures for local government sustainability?
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