A bridge in Haarlemmermeer is named the Cebu City Bridge. To most of us, this is cause for surprise. A bridge in Harlemm what?
Haarlemmermeer City is in the Netherlands, otherwise known as Holland. Germany and Belgium are the border countries. This country has triumphed over the constant threat of floods and rainfalls using its present water technology. It is also well developed in the studies and the applications of the sciences. The Netherlands, although one of the smallest countries in Europe, is economically strong.
There is no comparison between Haarlemmermeer and Cebu City. Its population is only 120,000. If you insist on comparing that to our population pegged at over 700,000 as of 2000 (Office of Population Studies, USC) then theirs is merely 1/6. Their families number an average of 1 – 2 children. They also get free education until college level.
Stretches of roads are only as wide as the streets of Cebu's well-maintained exclusive villages. A lot of people find it more convenient to drive cars of smaller size to help save fuel and parking space. Sidewalks for pedestrians are constructed next to bicycle lanes since the bicycle is a popular mode of transportation even for top executives. Biking is pleasant and the pollution level is very low.
So why did Haarlemmermeer name a bridge after Cebu City? Haarlemmermeer is our sister city in Europe. Naming a newly-expanded bridge after our city just shows that Cebu City is on the minds of the people of Haarlemmermeer. In the past 10 years, Haarlemmermeer has demonstrated that it is a small city with a big heart. Through purely voluntary services and donations, it has provided equipment, training and educational tours among others, to our city.
ERUF, Fire Department, and Medical Support
The forward-thinking Director Herminio Cortes, earned a lot of donations from Haarlemmermeer for ERUF. His proven dedication and focus led to the donation

from Haarlemmermeer of a firetruck, two ambulances, and a car to the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF). The two ambulances each had a heart and breathing apparatus while the car was especially equipped for a diving team. The laudable efforts of Haarlemmermeer reached Schiphol Airport which also donated a van to ERUF for converting into an ambulance.
Despite these donations, it was deemed necessary to conduct trainings. In the next months, some Dutch representatives of Haarlemmermeer's Fire Department conducted a training program in Cebu City's Fire Department while a representative of the ERUF went through stringent training exercises in the Netherlands. Eventually, the ERUF was represented in the International Conference of Local Authorities in Amsterdam.
Still, there were other donations in the form of medical aid. Various hospitals of our sister city pooled enough resources for a shipment of medical materials. Another shipment in a 40-ft. container van was sent by the Rotary Haarlemmermeer-Schiphol to the Cebu City Medical Center. The latter also benefited from a 6-week training program of a Dutch medical student. Soon after, the Chief of the latter visited Haarlemmermeer to explore possible links with Spaarne Hospital.
There's more, an even bigger project is in the offing. A health insurance company has offered to sponsor P10 million to improve the Cebu City Medical Center.
In addition to the health and services support, the Rotary Haarlemmermeer Schiphol also initiated a healthcare project with the Rotary of El Pardo.
Garbage Disposal Project
Haarlemmermeer is constantly on the look-out for worthy projects benefiting the people of Cebu City. Therefore, when a possible garbage disposal project came up for assessment, Haarlemmermeer didn't hesitate to get its hands dirty. Two institutions are presently involved in the Netherlands: De Meerlanden (garbage