CEBU CITY –The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in partnership with European Chambers hosted the “Cebu-Visayas Business Sustainability Conference” on August 14 at Asmara Urban Resort and Lifestyle Village at Paseo Saturnino St., Cebu City focusing sustainability and green ecosystems.
CCCI president, Jay Yuvallos, in his opening statement said that the conference is part of the Regional Development Series program of CCCI that aims to address local issues like flooding and water scarcity, which impact businesses, and to promote global competitiveness by creating world-class enterprises, business communities, and people.
“The leadership agenda includes solving long-standing problems such as water issues and contributing to the overall growth and competitiveness of Cebu's business sector. The Chamber aims to mitigate these problems to ensure business continuity and improve overall living conditions in Cebu,” Yuvallos said.
There were 11 speakers that talked about their respective best sustainability initiatives and practices for their businesses to thrive. One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation of Atty. Jun Montuerto of the Cebu Citizens Initiative igniting “A Call for Collective Action" against flooding in Cebu.
“The massive flooding that Cebu City experienced in many areas the past weeks urged the group’s call to action. The flooding in Cebu needs an urgent solution and we plan to hold a Cebu Flood Solutions Summit on September 17 to encourage a multi-sector initiatives or programs to help make Cebu flood-free,” Montuerto said.
Carlo Cordaro, Founder/Director, Creative and Lifestyle Asmara Urban Resort & Lifestyle Village delivered his "Rooted in Nature" presentation--Redefining Luxury with Sustainability, the foundation of his resort that is wholly wooden structure, established in 2018 here in Cebu City.
Cordaro shared that Asmara redefines luxury through organic materials, mindful architecture and intentional living. Rain becomes resource through its iconic Rain Catcher system, while sunlight powers daily operations. Every element, bamboo beams, coconut veneer, mother of pearl accents, abaca and raffia fibers, chosen not only for beauty but for impact, he added.
“This is not just a destination. It is a declaration that elegance can be ethical, diligence can be intelligent and sustainability can be the most exquisite form of design,” Cordaro reads Asmara’s description.
Cebu City faces water, waste and flood management issues
Cebu City mayor Nestor Archival takes aim at water costs, flooding and waste management and other sustainability challenges Cebu is facing. He acknowledged the rising costs of water and the supply-demand gap and highlighted the link between waste management and flooding, speaking at the Cebu-Visayas Business & Sustainability Conference, August 14 at Asma Urban Resort and Lifestyle Village, Cebu City.
Archival defined sustainability as meeting current needs without compromising future needs. He mentioned that the City has installed a 30-kilowatt solar system at City Hall, demonstrating cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The City government’s significant electrical bills and the environmental impact of electricity use.
“Plans include installing solar panels in all government buildings and increasing the fleet of electric vehicles to five percent,” he added.
On water Supply and pricing challenges. The mayor bared the high cost of purchased water at P65 per cubic meter compared to the selling price at P25 per cubic meter. The poor population in Cebu faces high water costs, paying up to P250 per cubic meter for small quantities. He warns of a potential future water shortage and compares the situation to the dystopian "Mad Max" series.
On garbage disposal and environmental impact. Archival highlighted the unsustainable financial burden of garbage disposal in the City with revenue of only P100M against costs of P500M of waste disposal. The cost per ton of garbage disposal is P1900 and the city's landfill is polluting groundwater, affecting nearby areas.
Cebu city is facing pressure from the Consolation government to address these environmental issues as he described a recent incident where 40 tons of garbage were collected from T.Padilla river emphasizing the need for better waste management, Archival added.
Mayor Archival announced that within the next 100 days, Cebu City government in partnerships with CCCI and other stakeholders, will develop a roadmap for sustainable practices with the goal to create a sustainable city and province and plans to reinforce neighboring cities for systematic enforcement.
“There is really a need of a collective action to tackle these environmental and financial challenges. The City cannot do it alone, we need all the help we can from all sectors to find the solutions to these issues,” he added. (Photos: MBCNewman/Google Images)
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