Mayor: Vote For Cebu As ‘Wonder’ City

[Medic Mike]

Monday, October 14, 2013

CEBU City is in the long list of the New Seven Wonders Cities of the World.

Of the 77 cities in the list, three are from the Philippines—Cebu, Iloilo and Vigan.

USA had the most number of cities with five, in the long list published in website world.new7wonders.com. This was followed by Philippines and Canada with three cities each.

The website will announce the 28 finalists on Oct. 21. The winners will be announced in December 2014.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama encouraged Cebuanos to vote.

At first, he was hesitant to campaign because of the cost it entails. But when he learned that the procedure is through online voting, he made a plea to all Cebuanos, those married to Cebuanos and those who love Cebu to vote for the city.

Help

The qualifying phase started in March 2012 with more than 300 cities.

“Help if you love Cebu City, play your part and spread the good news,” said Rama in his regular press conference yesterday.

But there were two concerns raised about Cebu City during the Cebu City Development Council regular meeting yesterday.

A senior citizen asked if the city aims to be an “elderly friendly city.”

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, on the other hand, pointed out that Cebu City lost its title as Most Child-Friendly City in the Philippines. Cebu City bagged the national title in 2006 and kept the regional title for a couple of years.

Rama said there is a reason Cebu City is a top tourist destination for Koreans.

The mayor wants to make the city a major tourist destination by improving its coastal areas, ensuring that potable water is available everywhere, developing mountain barangays and security.

Rama said he has included P10 million in the second supplemental budget to purchase 10 to 15 compact vehicles in January, which will be used by a special unit under the Cebu City Police Office.

“The purpose is for police to go around major thoroughfares in the (small) vehicle.

There will be no problem with parking but it really is not intended for chases but rather for visibility,” said Rama, adding that the police can even arrest a pickpocket or snatcher.

A Facebook page has been launched in support of Cebu City's bid to be one of the New Seven Wonders cities: Cebu City for New 7 Wonders Cities.