CEBU CITY, Philippines (PNA) – First-term mayors in Cebu have a lot to report in their first year in office.

They count projects related to infrastructure development, health, education, social welfare and environmental protection among their accomplishments.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama listed the closure of the Inayawan sanitary landfill, the clearing operation along the Mahiga Creek, the P100-million asphalt storm and street lighting as among his achievements.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza cited the hiring of more teachers, livelihood of women and enforcement of environmental laws.

Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura pointed out that a college that offers affordable education opened earlier this month.

Boljoon Mayor Teresita Celis imposed a curfew, banning minors from loitering the town’s streets past 10 p.m.

Rama said the projects he has so far implemented are in line with the “seven pillars of governance,” which he laid out when he took oath on July 1 last year.

The mayor’s “seven pillars of governance” are garbage, flood mitigation and drainage, better roads, peace and order, health, street lighting and traffic.

To address the garbage problem in Cebu City, Rama closed the Inayawan sanitary landfill, and required households and establishments to segregate wastes.

Although Cebu City Hall’s “no segregation, no collection” policy was met with opposition, Department of Public Services (DPS) Chief Dionisio Gualiza said 80 percent of the city’s estimated 900,000 population separate bio-degradable from non-biodegradable wastes.

City Hall began clearing Mahiga Creek of illegal structures to prevent floods during heavy rain.

But the move was met with criticism as Rama refused to give financial assistance to affected settlers.

The clearing of Mahiga Creek earned for the mayor a case in court and a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman.

To improve the city’s roads, the City Government appropriated P100 million in the fifth supplemental budget for 2010, for the asphalting of roads in 37 areas in the city, covering 25 barangays.

The city also has appropriated P100 million for road concreting in 30 mountain villages.

City Hall also appropriated P7 million for the purchase of 42 motorcycles and other equipment for the city’s police force.

City Hall also spent P20.2 million to enroll 37,000 indigent residents to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

Rama also reported that the City Government went into private-public partnerships to improve police stations.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Radaza said most of her projects are focused on the welfare of women and senior citizens.

She also directed the hiring of 133 public school teachers and created environmental law enforcement groups, such as Task Force Kalikasan and the Unified Task Force, which guard the city’s aquatic resources.

In her first year, Lapu-Lapu city started promoting sports tourism by hosting the Davis Cup last year.