Young leaders: Ease traffic, clear drains
YOUTH leaders cite poor drainage, traffic, high crime rate and poor solid waste management as problems facing Cebu today.
In a forum yesterday, the scholars from the Young Minds Academy of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.-Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center (Rafi-EADSC) presented their findings and recommendations after the situation in selected barangays in Cebu.
“It was easy to identify (the problems, but) difficult to find the solutions,” said Baron Lisondra, who reported on a study in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.
“(But we have) become more aware and critical (of the situation of the community),” he said.
The scholars conducted the study on municipal services, environment, governance, planning, communication and information technology, economic development and employment, basic social services, and use and ownership of lands.
Garbage disposal Lisondra and his group reported that the top three needs of the village were the implementation of a proper garbage disposal system, a drainage system and traffic management.
The group surveyed 194 respondents, conducted group discussion and visited the areas.
Threats to the barangays include flooding, fire and crimes, particularly those committed by youth doing drugs.
Lisondra’s group did not focus on the need for a drainage system because it was expensive to implement and they found out that the Talisay City Government has a formulated a plan in 2001, which has not been implemented.
Rafi-EADSC Executive Director Evelyn Nacario- Castro said the output of the Academy scholars is an affirmation of the findings of the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB).
The program is aimed at choosing the best proposal from the groups that will be implemented between September and November this year.
Castro said information gathered by the groups will be the basis for recommendation of projects.
The scholars, who are mostly college students, were required to research about their assignment more.
“You are presenting a vision of a livable Cebu. Your presentations will be used as inputs for the planners of Mega Cebu,” Rey Crystal, MCDCB representative, told the students.