Labella to realize more projects: Over 1 million jobs eyed at SRP

CEBU, Philippines — A brighter future for Cebu City where all projects implemented will remain relevant for many years is what Mayor Labella said he envisions for the city as he moves past his first 100 days in office.

In a speech at the IEC Convention Center Wednesday night, Labella said one of the biggest projects the city is working on is the creation of almost two million direct and indirect jobs at the South Road Properties (SRP) for the city’s residents.

"Our special body for the South Road Properties is finalizing its Strategic Blueprint. This fiscal and infrastructural Blueprint integrates various investor plans, assembling a smart-transport, accessible, and ecologically sound urban core," Labella said.

Labella said the SRP is now ripe at drawing good investment, creating more jobs, and optimizing the city's earnings.

"The newly opened Cebu Ocean Park is just the start. It is a welcome addition to the SM Ayala Consortium," he said.

City Hall, in fact, has granted the consortium its land development permit, renewing their partnership with the developers.

Labella also announced that the goal to make Cebu City a business-friendly city was attained in the first 100 days he sat as mayor.

Today, the application and processing of business and building permits takes only 24 hours, except for businesses with strict regulatory requirements, which takes 60 days.

The Cebu City Financial Center, a one-stop shop for business transactions with the government, which is located beside the Senior Citizens Park, will open this November.

Labella also vowed that the city will continue to work to upgrade the traffic system here, to sustain the clean and green project, and revitalize the Cebu City Medical Center.

Labella also talked about the importance of nutrition for children.

Two sets of Nutrition Centers are to be established in schools and in barangays. The food supply will come from farmers in the city’s hinterlands or remote areas through the Kausaban Nutrition Masterplan.

On education, the Cebu City College ordinance is just awaiting its approval, which is bound to help thousands of unprivileged college students in the city, Labella said.

Meanwhile, he announced the Philippine Sports Commission has already allocated P50 million pesos for the new sports complex of the city. 

In the area of safety and security, Labella said Police Stations 5 and 7 located at the Carbon area and Barangay Pardo, respectively, are being renovated, so that policemen will have more efficient working spaces.

“Carbon Market is an important node both at the level of micro level enterprise and that of local culture,” Labella said.

The City Administrator is working on a project that will improve the Carbon Market, something that will involve world-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue who has agreed to design the stalls for the vendors there.

Labella also promised to establish socialized housing in Barangay Mambaling, Lorega, and Ermita for the city’s most marginalized communities.

“The call of change must be heard,” he said.

Among those who listened to Labella’s speech were Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Archbishop Jose Palma, Presidential Assistant of the Visayas Michael Dino, Cobonpue, city councilors, barangay captains and officials, and representatives of the business sector and the academe.

“Sa nilabay nga usa ka gatos nga adlaw, hinaot nga klaro ang atong pag-ihap. Hinaot klaro ang accountability, ang kaakuhan nga dili lang kanatong abtik ug buhi kon dili para sa kaugmaon sa atong dakbayan,” Labella said. JMO (FREEMAN)