Mega Cebu Month Kicks Off

In its pursuit to create a more sustainable and vibrant Metro Cebu, the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB)  set September as Mega Cebu Month during a launching last Sept. 2 at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

With this year’s theme “Mega Cebu: Making W.A.V.E.S.! (Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable, and Sustainable)”, the whole month of September is dedicated to providing avenues for the varied urban challenges of each of the partner Local Government Units (LGUs) to be put in a metro-wide context through workshops, fora, and group discussions.

Mega Cebu Vision 2050, with the catch phrase same as the theme, was launched last March this year. It promotes a long-term and collaborative planning and action towards a more sustainable city-region.

Mega Cebu Month is part of the efforts in creating a mass-based support for the Mega Cebu Program and a component of its strategic communication plan that calls for an extensive awareness building this year.

Each week is allotted to the four area-based developments: Integrated Development and Planning for the first week; Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Knowledge Management for the second week; the third week for Environment and Public Safety; and the fourth week for Human Resources (HR), Assets and Partnerships.

The first week included a workshop on Land Use Harmonization while an ICT symposium was the highlight of the second week.

On the third week, a forum about power will be conducted on September 16 and a workshop on Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) on Sept. 18. Towards the end of the week, a water issues seminar will be facilitated by Architect Socorro Atega.

While on Sept. 24, a high school level quiz bowl and poster making contest will take place in the morning and an oratorical speech contest on the afternoon. The following day will be for college level quiz bowl and painting in the morning and an extemporaneous speech in the afternoon.

Activities were anchored by MCDCB, Research, Program, and Organizational Development (RPOD) Focus Area Based Committees: Integrated Development and Planning; Information and Communications Technology and Knowledge Management; Environment and Public Safety; and Human Resources, Assets, and Partnerships.

The institution of September as Mega Cebu Month also serves as a way to recognize the competitive advantages and collective strengths of its seven component cities namely Cebu, Talisay, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Carcar, Naga, and Danao and the six municipalities, namely San Fernando, Minglanilla, Cordova, Consolacion, Liloan, and Compostela.

One of the highlights of the month-long celebration is the search for the Mega Cebu Ambassadors on Sept. 27. Thirteen pairs of young men and women from each of the LGUs of Metro Cebu will compete for the distinct and honorary role at the Cebu International Convention Center. A pre-judging will take place on the day prior to the pageant night.

The Search for Mega Cebu’s Ambassadors is a way of recognizing the role of the youth as the primary stakeholders and role models in line with the Mega Cebu Program’s vision for Cebu in the future, one that reflects the six attributes of the program: Cultural and Historic; Innovative, Creative and Competitive; Inclusive, Equitable and Livable, Interconnected and Compact; Green; and Integrated, Coordinated, and Participative.

Several other activities lined up for the whole month are aimed at building awareness for the Mega Cebu Vision 2050 among the various stakeholders. These included skill-based competitions, such as the songwriting contest on September 14 and photography contest and choir competition on Sept. 21. There will be an android application contest on September 23 and a poster-making contest the next day. A quiz bowl for high school and college students and oratorical and extemporaneous contests will be featured on Sept. 24 and 25.

Mega Cebu Month will be concluded by an Inter-City Fun Ride and Bike Festival on Sept. 29. (by Apple Ta-as/RAFI intern)