Twenty-one business sector representatives from Yokohama City went to several sites in Metro Cebu last March 8, 2018 to familiarize themselves with what Cebu has in terms of energy management, smart solid waste management, and green building initiatives.

The learning visit was a result of the partnership between the City of Yokohama and the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB).

The delegates first went to Ayala Center Cebu where Engr. Psalm Ting, the mall’s facilities engineer, showed them the energy-saving initiatives of the establishment.

They also paid a courtesy call to Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Toru Hashimoto, director of the International Affairs of Yokohama City. The MOU is to signify the partnership between Cebu City and Yokohama City, where the latter will offer technical assistance for developments projects in Cebu City.

The delegates then went to the waste dumpsite in Barangay Umapad, Mandaue City, where they saw the solid waste management situation of the city. Lastly, they visited the corporate office of Cebu Holdings, Inc. to learn about the green building initiative that the company already has initiated and is planning for the future.

The visit culminated with a forum on Y-Port Solutions and Strategies for Metro Cebu held at the Plenary Hall of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. – Eduardo Aboitiz Development and Studies Center last April 9 organized by MCDCB through its Research, Program and Organizational Development Program Management Office.

The Governance and Linkages Unit of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-G&L) seeks to foster responsive institutions and an engaged citizenry through awards and recognition, good governance and leadership development programs, and active linkages and platforms of engagement and collaboration.