Eko Fest Talks Sustainable Lifestyle in Cebu

The Eko Fest Conference, the culminating activity of the Eko Fest, one  of the event series of this month’s Cebu Business Month celebration of  Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), tackled topics on how to  make Cebu a hub for sustainable lifestyle.

One of the topics discussed was the platform of the Mega Cebu  Development Plan or Vision 2050 which was presented by the chief  operating officer of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) Dominica  Chua. Chua primarily revealed the challenges that Metro Cebu is  currently facing which one, is the rapid increase of residents.  According to Chua, the growth which quadrupled from previous, is  resulting to several social, economic and environmental problems in  Metro Cebu such as inadequate infrastructure, social public decline in  relationships (family and others), complex urban issues, and  disturbing slow-pace of business growth among others.

She mentioned in a study conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social  Sciences in 2009, that Cebu was placed at the ‘Bottom 25’ in terms of  global competitiveness. The study was entitled “Global Competitiveness  Innovation: Source of Urban Competitiveness” which had 475 other  cities involved in the study.

The Mega Cebu Development Plan proposes on initiatives to make Cebu a  liveable and sustainable city which will eventually come up with a  ‘green’ city model that will achieve the proposed mega plan for Cebu.  Facilitating it is a coordinating board known as the Metro Cebu  Development Coordinating Board, which coordinates plans simulated by  its members, for the Vision 2050. The Metro Cebu Development  Coordinating Board is comprised of 13 Local Government Units (LGUs),  national agencies and private companies that support the ‘green’ city  plan for Cebu.

The board executes the means to achieve the Mega Cebu Plan through  research, planning and info-drive campaigns.

13 cities and municipalities which sprung from Carcar in the south to  Danao in the north will collaborate in the Mega Cebu Plan, from being  cities operating individually to a one, united body.

Other topics discussed in the Eko Fest Conference were The Role of  LGUs in Greening Cities and Industries by Cebu City Councilor Nida  Cabrera, and Living a Sustainable Lifestyle in Cebu by Certified Green  Professional & Environmental Planner Archt. Joy Onozawa. Cabrera cited  the progress of Cebu City’s greening projects which are the  development and improvement of parks, playgrounds, road center  islands, sidewalks and monuments. She also said the development of the  Cebu Zoo, establishment of Bike Lanes, Greening Program, and  developing climate resilience of communities through the Green Home  Emission, trainings and others.

Onozawa on the other hand, gave tips on flood prevention, dengue  prevention and other green planning suggestions. She said one way to  ease flood in Cebu, cemented areas such as the garage in houses can be  permeated, especially those living in upland areas. This will allow  water to be sipped back through the ground when it rains, to the sea,  which is its natural cycle. Inadvertently, rainwater is stored down to  lowland areas causing the water to rise nowadays even during slight  downpours. She said that planting more trees can likewise prevent  floods.

Onozawa also suggested that planting lemongrass in specific areas in  houses prevents the rampant dengue, subsequently as well creating an  edible garden which can definitely provide a sustainable living and  community to all. Talking about sources available at edible gardens,  the architect said that onions can be utilized as house paints. When  asked by Plantation Bay Resort to refurbish its rooms, Onozawa used  sauteed onions in lime juice and water to make a brown enamel finish  to paint the doors.

Onozawa capped her talk with acknowledging the use of bamboo than wood  as materials for furniture. She said that planting it makes a good  alternative since they grow fast, being in the family of grass, the  tallest, growing three inches everyday.

The Eko Fest Conference was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel. It was co  organized by the the European Chamber of Commerce (ECCP), and SMART  Cebu where budding ‘green’ entrepreneurs are showcased. SMART Cebu is  a growing ‘Eko’ business community composed of Cebuano jewelry and  furniture manufacturers who have shifted to pursue sustainability  through the raw materials they use, power and electricity consumption  and other ways and means in running their respective businesses. They  were recognized during the Eko Fest Conference.