A PLEA FOR IMMEDIATE COMPLETION AND REOPENING OF THE CEBU CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, Osmena Blvd. Cebu City)

A PLEA FOR IMMEDIATE COMPLETION AND REOPENING PETITION FOR THE CEBU CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY (Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, Osmena Blvd. Cebu City) July 12, 2010 TO; Mayor Michael L. Rama , Vice-Mayor Joy Young, Members of the Cebu City Council, Mrs. Rosario Chua-Head of Cebu City Public Library, Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, and DepEd Region VII Director Recaredo L. Borgonia The City of Cebu, according to its website, is “the center of education and culture” in the Visayas and Mindanao and is committed to creating “opportunities for employment and income” in the region. Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Library and Museum has historically played an important role in satisfying these aspirations. Yet Cebu City’s only public library has been closed for renovations since August, 2009. In the meantime, while the patrons of the library suffer from its closure, the city government has refused to complete the renovation. In light of the city’s stated goals, we believe that its leaders should move immediately to complete the renovation and reopen the library at its present location. Their failure to do so is disreputable at the very least and disgraceful at best. Moreover, it is contrary to our nation’s law’s, in particular R.A. 7743 (which mandates local government units to establish congressional, provincial, city public libraries..) We believe that the continuing sad state of the ONLY PUBLIC LIBRARY in CEBU CITY has a negative effect on Cebu City’s heritage tourism potential and reflect badly on our regional reputation as a forward thinking community. We now call on local government officials to immediately approve the release of the approved budget (approved since June, 2009) for our city public library and to officially order construction that will lead to re-opening of Dr Jose Rizal Memorial Library and Museum in its present location at the soonest possible time enabling it to continue serving the community. Let it now be known that all who sign herein speak peacefully, in a unified spirit of service, cooperation and preservation with the hope that our voices shall be known, counted and heard. As we ask that the leadership attributed to deciding the fate of Dr. Jose Rizal Memorial Library and Museum, regard this petition as a formal request that said leaders make a sincere and honest pledge toward immediate completion of renovation, preservation and re-opening of the ONLY PUBLIC LIBRARY in Cebu City in its present location. Now, more than ever, Cebuanos have a grave need for the services of the city public library that no other government office can provide. Sincerely, I have read the The CEBU CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY : A PLEA FOR IMMEDIATE COMPLETION AND REOPENING PETITION to Cebu City Mayor Michael L. Rama , Vice-Mayor Joy Young, Members of the Cebu City Council, Mrs Rosario Chua-Head of Cebu City Public Library, Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, and DepEd Region VII Director Recaredo L. Borgonia and I hereby sign the petition: