Sugbuanon deserves better. We work hard, pay our taxes, and do our part to keep this city moving. In return, we deserve public services that work, communities that feel safe, and a city that makes everyday life easier rather than harder. Cebu has everything it needs to become a better place to live, from its natural beauty and growing economy to its hardworking people. What we need now is better planning, stronger public services, and leaders who understand what ordinary Cebuanos go through every day. Here are 12 things I wish to see in a better Cebu.
1. A Cebu That Does Not Flood Every Time It Rains
Flooding should not be something Cebuanos have to prepare for every time the skies turn dark. We need properly planned drainage systems, regular desilting, stricter enforcement against clogged waterways, and infrastructure designed to handle heavy rainfall. Flood control should not begin only after roads become rivers and homes are damaged. The government must invest in long-term solutions instead of repeatedly leaving residents to deal with the same problem.
2. Less Traffic and More Ways to Get Around
Commuting in Cebu should not take hours out of someone’s day. We need a reliable mass transportation system, with long-term plans for trains, expanded public transport routes, and water-based transport where feasible. Buses, modern jeepneys, and other public transportation options should be connected, affordable, and accessible to commuters. People should have more choices than sitting in traffic or spending a large part of their income on transportation.
3. Sidewalks Built for People, Not Just Vehicles
Walking should be a convenient and safe way to get around Cebu. Sidewalks need to be wider, cleaner, better lit, and free from unnecessary obstructions, with properly designed ramps for persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and parents pushing strollers. More trees can provide shade against the Cebu heat, while better pedestrian crossings can make busy roads less intimidating. A city that prioritizes pedestrians is a city that considers everyone, not just those who own cars.
4. More Parks That People Can Actually Enjoy
Sugboanon loves to walk, jog, exercise, and spend time outdoors. Neighborhood parks and public green spaces can give families, friends, and communities places to gather without having to spend money at a mall or commercial establishment. Cebu already has public spaces, but some need better maintenance, lighting, greenery, and facilities. We need more accessible parks, along with a serious commitment to keeping existing ones clean, safe, and welcoming.
5. Better Public Hospitals and More Considerate Care for Families
Access to healthcare should not come with the added burden of finding somewhere to sleep, sit, or wait for hours. Public hospitals need more facilities, sufficient rooms, better equipment, and adequate staffing, while healthcare workers deserve fair compensation and working conditions that allow them to care for patients properly. A photo circulating online of people waiting outside Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) highlighted the difficulties families can face while their loved ones receive treatment. Hospitals should provide safe, sheltered waiting areas with appropriate facilities, including spaces that can accommodate relatives who travel from faraway towns and have nowhere else to go. Caring for patients should also mean recognizing the families who wait anxiously beside them.
6. More Organized and Transparent Tourist Destinations
Cebu welcomes visitors who want to experience its beaches, mountains, heritage sites, and local culture. They deserve clear information about entrance fees, environmental charges, accommodation rates, and other mandatory expenses before arriving at a destination. Local governments and tourism offices should publish verified, updated information online and establish clear rules for tourism operators. Better regulation and accessible public information can help prevent scams, reduce misunderstandings, and protect both tourists and local businesses.
7. Better Garbage Management Across the City
Clean streets and communities should not be treated as an impossible dream. Cebu needs consistent waste collection, accessible waste segregation facilities, stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, and better public education on responsible waste disposal. Businesses and households must do their part, but local governments must also provide the systems that make proper waste management possible. If other cities can develop cleaner communities through discipline and effective planning, Cebu can work toward the same goal.
8. More Decent Job Opportunities for Cebuanos
Cebu is an economic center, but growth should mean more than new buildings and expanding businesses. It should also mean more stable jobs, fair wages, and opportunities for fresh graduates and experienced workers alike. The government should support industries that create quality employment, provide practical skills training, and make it easier for local businesses to grow and hire. Cebuanos should not have to leave their families or settle for poor working conditions just to build a decent future.
9. Stronger Police Visibility Around Schools and Hospitals
Safety should be a priority before tragedy strikes. Schools, hospitals, and other public spaces need appropriate security measures, visible and accessible police assistance, and coordinated emergency response plans. With reports of threats and violent incidents affecting schools in different parts of the country, local authorities should work closely with school administrators, communities, and emergency services to identify risks early. Police visibility must be accompanied by responsible security practices, prevention programs, and clear procedures for reporting threats. Protecting people means acting before a preventable incident becomes another headline.
10. Safer and Better-Maintained Footbridges
Pedestrian footbridges should help people cross roads safely, not make the journey more difficult. Some need better lighting, regular maintenance, clearer access points, and improvements that make them safer to use at night. They should also be designed with accessibility in mind, because stairs alone can exclude senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and people with limited mobility. Where footbridges are built, they must be practical, secure, and properly maintained, while safe at-grade crossings should remain an option where appropriate.
11. Give Small Businesses Room to Grow
Small businesses are part of what makes Cebu’s local economy and culture distinct. They give aspiring entrepreneurs a chance to test their ideas, help communities discover homegrown products, and create opportunities for people who may not have the capital to open permanent stores. A recent post by the founder of Ukay Ta Bai, a community flea market in Cebu, raised concerns about onsite inspections and reported event fees of ₱2,275 to ₱2,975 per merchant for pop-up vendors. The city’s rules and actual fee requirements should be clearly communicated and fairly implemented, with reasonable processes that account for the circumstances of small vendors. Regulation matters, but it should not unnecessarily discourage the very entrepreneurs Cebu needs to nurture.
12. More Affordable Homes Near Jobs and Essential Services
Workers should not have to spend a huge portion of their income on housing or lose several hours each day commuting just to afford a place to live. Cebu needs more affordable housing developments connected to reliable public transportation, schools, hospitals, markets, and workplaces. Planning homes alongside essential services can help families save money, reclaim their time, and build stronger communities. A growing city should not force the people who keep it running to live farther and farther away from the opportunities they help create.
Cebu Deserves More Than Potential
Cebu has so much to offer. It has mountains and beaches, thriving businesses, growing industries, a rich culture, and people who continue to work hard despite the challenges they face. But loving Cebu also means acknowledging what needs to change.
We should not have to accept flooding as normal, traffic as inevitable, inaccessible sidewalks as an afterthought, or inadequate public services as something we simply have to live with. We pay taxes because public services are necessary, and we deserve to see those contributions reflected in the quality of our daily lives.
A better Cebu does not have to happen overnight, but it must begin with clear priorities, responsible spending, and consistent action. Our wishlist is not about asking for a perfect city. It is about asking for a city that respects its people, values their time, protects their safety, and gives everyone a fair chance to live well.
Sugboanons deserve better, and we should never be afraid to ask for it.
