Rama urges tycoons to do business in Cebu City: Investment ‘blitzkrieg’

CEBU, Philippines —  Mayor Michael Rama will engage in what he calls as an “investment blitzkrieg" meeting with the nation's top businessmen and tycoons to persuade them to support the city government in realizing its goal of creating a "Singapore-like Cebu City."

Blitzkrieg is a German word which, during the Second World War, meant "an intense operation to secure swift victory."

In a report by the city’s Public Information Office, Rama asked financial assistance from them in order to build medium-rise buildings (MRBs) for people who would be displaced if the three-meter easement for rivers were strictly enforced, as he intends to do it right away.

In addition to the river banks being free of obstructions, implementing the easement regulation makes residents of the city safer because they are no longer at risk of being swept away when rivers expand or overflow every time it rains.

“I just had a talk with Hans Sy this morning to talk on. I call it investment blitzkrieg that will commence Monday, to bring about the Singapore-like Cebu City,” Rama said.

The mayor stated that he planned to speak with real estate developers, some of whom he highlighted during the Zoom conference, in order to persuade them to support the city's initiative over the following three years.

“Naa ron ang developers (in the meeting) aron sila mag-preparar para sa medium-rise building. Importante kaayo nga we come up with a common understanding, especially sa mga developers nga mo-respond sa three-meter easement,” he said.

The city is relying on "balanced housing development" provision of the country’s housing law, which requires developers and owners of residential subdivisions and condominium developments to set aside 15% of project area or 5% of total project cost for socialized housing.

Cebu Landmasters Inc., which has developed two medium-rise structures in Barangay Lorega-San Miguel for P115 million, pioneered this in the city.

Additionally, Rama instructed Architect Florante Catalan to ensure that the Office of the Building Official (OBO) does not grant licenses for structures without water catchment and treatment systems.

“Diha sa inyo sa OBO, kinahanglang walay ma issue nga permit sa building nga walay mosawod sa tubig. Una ta mang-approve og building permit, ang ilang building naay sewage treatment, ang ilang tubig molusot gyud,” the mayor said.

The mayor stated that people should be relocated to schools as evacuation centers, while container vans are being prepared in a five-hectare area at the South Road Properties as temporary shelters.

The container vans will serve their purpose until the city, in collaboration with cooperating property developers, has completed the construction of MRBs. – Shaina Fame Marie P. Mabatid, UV Intern,  JMD (FREEMAN)