Maroon bricks on a wide sidewalk near Fuente Osme帽a rotunda give a glimpse of the planned Spanish-era styled beautification of Cebu City鈥檚 streets and landmarks.
A space in front of the unfinished building of Banco De Oro (BDO) was unveiled yesterday as an early example.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia together with philanthropist Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung opened the sidewalk in simple rites at 4 p.m
In a speech, Rama lauded BDO for being the first establishment in the Fuente Osme帽a area to beautify its sidewalk.
He said Cebu City residents can expect more presentable sidewalks in the next few months.
鈥淚f all of us will help, beautiful things will happen,鈥� Rama said.
Gov. Garcia lauded Rama for pushing the city government鈥檚 partnership with the province in upgrading Cebu City鈥檚 landmarks.
She said the provincial government will improve the entire road stretch from Fuente Osme帽a to the Capitol before the province鈥檚 444nd anniversary in August.
Yeung, who heads Cebu City鈥檚 Beautification Movement, said they already raised P10 million of the target P50 million budget for the project which covers Sanciangko Street to the whole length of Osme帽a Boulevard to the Capitol.
Spanish-era themed structures like lampposts worth P2 million will be installed, she said.
Yeung said they hope to finish the beautification project before Christmas.