CHINESE ARC DOWNTOWN?

Councilor wants a Chinatown Center in Cebu City downtown area

To show the Cebu City Government’s support to the Filipino-Chinese community, a councilor wants to establish a Chinatown Center in the downtown area. During last week’s regular session, Councilor Jerry Guardo filed a draft ordinance creating the center and install a welcome arch within its boundaries. “Considering the invaluable contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community in the downtown area to revenue and employment generation, the City Government deems it proper to support the community in terms of site development, security, and other improvements to foster growth and progress in the area as one of Cebu City’s tourism and business districts,” reads a portion of Guardo’s ordinance. Along with the proposed establishment of the Chinatown center is the creation of the Cebu City Chinatown Development Council (CCCDC). Under the draft legislation, the CCCDC is tasked to formulate policies and recommend measures to enhance the operation and management of the center to the City Council. It will also adopt a develop- ment master plan, which will be used as a guide in the development of the area, the type of businesses that should be established and the infrastructure projects that should be introduced. The CCCDC may also consider the Chinatown center as one of the venues for the celebration of the Chinatown Festival, which falls during the Chinese New Year. It is also directed to submit a development plan through a resolution to the City Council on the architectural and engineering design of the welcome arch. Guardo has also proposed the allocation of P2 million from the City’s funds as an initial budget for the arch and the landscaping of the area within the Chinatown center. Aside from this, the councilor wants to establish a police station within the area to ensure 24-hour police visibility. Guardo’s proposed ordinance was referred to the committee on laws and the Cultural Historical Affairs Commission for their comment.

Considering the invaluable contribution of the Filipino-Chinese community in the downtown area to revenue and employment generation, the City Government deems it proper to support the community in terms of site development, security, and other improvements to foster growth and progress in the area as one of Cebu City’s tourism and business districts, HARRY ROQUE

Palace spokesman