Cebu City green zones pushed

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to identify and conduct inventory of all lands in the city to be potentially used and declared as urban green zones.

This in order to promote sustainability, environmental protection, and lessen the impact of urbanization and provide people green spaces that are safe, accessible, and offer respite, solace, and allow exercise and relaxation for their overall health and well-being.

Councilor Alvin Dizon sponsored a resolution regarding the matter which was approved by the City Council.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has taken serious toll on people’s physical and mental health and this current crisis amplifies the need for continual adaptation and review and rethinking of how we can restructure our urban spaces to create patches of green to provide people safe, accessible and alternative places of respite, solace, exercise and relaxation,” said Dizon.

Dizon said the social and health benefits of urban green spaces and other nature-based interventions in urban development have long been established by studies and experts.

He said these green patches such as parks, playgrounds or urban gardens within the fabric of the city help enhance and promote sustainable lifestyles, improve the health and well-being of urban residents, lessen the impact of urbanization, and promote environmental protection.

The councilor said urban green space is an integral component of “green infrastructure” that local governments should make an investment for the well-being of their people and the planet.

In October 2020, City Ordinance 2581 also known as “An Ordinance Institutionalizing Urban Food Gardening in the City of Cebu, Appropriating Funds Therefor and For Other Purposes” was passed.

One of the important declared policies of the measure under Section 2 is for the city government to “create greener spaces in our communities to help curb the increasing problem of air pollution which has been proven to have serious consequences on the people’s physical and mental well-being.” — GMR (FREEMAN)