Livable Cebu City and Metro Cebu  

Today, we are reviewing our 2013 report that collated the views about a livable city of 106 participants of several Focus Group Discussions (FGD).

We think the features of a livable/unlivable city mentioned in the report are still relevant and salient especially for Mayor Mike Rama and his vision to make Cebu City like Singapore.

From January to March, 2013, starting as the Stop Cebu Flyover Movement, the Movement for Livable Cebu (MLC), which proceeded to engage in sustainability and participatory government, decided to ascertain what a livable city meant to Cebuanos from various sectors to serve as guide not only for the movement but also for the political candidates for the May 2013 elections then.

Through FGDs, a total of 106 participants from four sectors (students, the urban poor, employees/workers, and business) were asked to answer several questions which included:

Q1. What makes a city livable?

Q2. What elements currently make Metro Cebu livable?

Q3. What elements currently make Metro Cebu unlivable?

Q4. What will you do personally to make Metro Cebu livable?

Q5. What will you do in your job/business/occupation to make Metro Cebu livable?

On what makes a city livable? These five important elements:

1.) Environment: Natural Beauty and Balance

Respondents noted the need for balance between natural and human-made resources, between nature and technology, between biodiversity and development, between rural and urban, where one can work, play, and live, with proximity to places.

There is diversity of population, it isn’t crowded, there are no beggars, no squatters, no families left out, no discrimination.

2.) Basic and Other Needs: Provision, Accessibility, and Affordability

A livable city provides for people’s basic life needs. Healthy and sustainable food, clean water and air, safety and security, healthcare, home and shelter, education as well as spiritual, emotional, and mental needs of people are provided.

3.) Government and Politics: Good and Responsive

A livable city’s economy, infrastructure, politics and government are responsive to and protective of the needs and balance of people and nature.

4.) People: Positive Attitudes and Behavior

A livable city is without discrimination and with friendly, good, trustworthy, enlightened, responsible, disciplined, participative, and happy people.

5.) Community and Life: Affirmative Features

In a livable city, life is comfortable and seamless, one where arts, music, crafts, culture and interconnectedness with others thrive and life is sustained.

What makes Metro Cebu unlivable? Has Metro Cebu changed since these 2013 views?

Metro Cebu’s environment is polluted, dirty, degraded, disorderly, and unsafe.

So many basic and other needs are unmet, from food, water, health, housing, employment, sufficient salary, education, security transportation, and other social services. There is also no social justice with a conspicuous gap between the rich and the poor, especially in terms of access to and delivery of services.

Certain negative qualities of people of a current unlivable Metro Cebu include undisciplined and irresponsible people, lack or no awareness, and resistant citizens. Negative qualities related to governance and politics received the second highest number of comments from the FGD respondents.

Abuse and corruption were pointed out. Selfish politicians, corrupt officials, walay pagkabana, pagkakabana nga elected officials were some direct descriptions offered during the FGD.

Petty politics, patron politics, and political dynasties were also included as features that make Metro Cebu unlivable. Poor leadership, political inaction, and poor government were observed in planning, project selection, laws and implementation.

Finally, a few negative items were mentioned related to community and life aspects that make current Metro Cebu unlivable. This includes Metro Cebu being a rat race city, one that lacks public parks, care, and appreciation for historical sites and culture and unity. Do you think there is hope for change towards a livable Cebu City and Metro Cebu?