I am one of thousands of immigrants drawn to Cebu's unique combination of urban and rustic living. I moved here in 1986, just in time to witness and experience Cebu as it embarked on its "boom."
How the metropolis has taken a 360-degree turn since then. These days, we usually hear or read varying views about the price of development; about whether the economics gains have really trickled down to the masses; and about who and how many actually benefited from the boom vis-a-vis those who were marginalized by it. Shouldn't we instead ask whether the quality of life here has improved?
Asiaweek, when it ranked Cebu city eighth among the best cities in Asia, used among its qualifiers the economic opportunities, infrastructure and basic services, as well as education, health and recreation facilities. Given these standards, people understandably but wrongly assume that these opportunities are tied to money. That a person who is rich goes to a better school; and therefore has little trouble landing a better-paying job, if not starting his own business; drives a car instead of commutes; gets a private room in a hospital here or seeks treatment in Manila or abroad; and for recreation or entertainment plays golf, occasionally dines out in fancy restaurants, and has an active nightlife in the karaoke clubs and discos. This is such a materialistic way of measuring quality of life.
To pursue progress a.k.a. development on this basis alone distorts our perception and skews our priorities. No wonder the have and have-nots have a deep-seated mistrust towards those who justify every government policy or commercial activity in the name of progress. Yeah, they sneer, "but progress for whom?" Indeed, Ceboom for whom?
Our simple pleasures have been commercialized. We brag about our white sandy beaches that are so accessible as they are just an hour's drive from the city. But the white sand is "imported" from Bohol, and the resorts are not that accessible after all when one has to shell out P200 for entrance fee. The quality of life in Cebu in these terms becomes cheap when you compare it to a quiet stroll along a stretch of shoreline in Panglao or Boracay sans those concrete barriers or overzealous security guards.
We crow about increased business activities because of all this property development in the hillylands. But these activities alter the contours of our mountains, rendering them prone to landslides for houses built there, while subjecting the lowlands to flash floods within hours of heavy downpour. Quality of life used to mean being able to drive to Busay, park by the roadside and admire the city lights at night or admire Cebu at sunrise in the company of lovers and friends. Now, we hardly see anything because the road is lined with houses and other structures.
Progress should touch everyone's lives in a positive way beyond financial gain or commercial value. For example, commuting between Mandaue and Cebu used to be a nightmare because it takes hours to clear the two-lane highway every time there is an accident or when a vehicle stalls during rush hour. We put that behind us now that we have several wide and concrete alternate roads.
Other examples of progress benefiting Cebu residents as a whole are the garbage compactors, sodium lights, computerized traffic lights, paved sidewalks, spruced parks and greenery in the streets _ which make our city environment less stressful. The hi-speed catamarans, clean moviehouses, spanking shopping malls, fastfood chains, and new radio stations meanwhile, liven up our lifestyles. We made it happen because we exercised our options as educated voters and consumers.
Truly, we should count our blessings. But Cebu has a lot more to offer and it is up to all of us, not just the government or the business sector, to determine that. For to achieve and maintain a desirable quality of life, we must ensure that progress is for everyone, not for the few and privileged alone.