This Week in Cebu (February 29 - March 6, 2016)

The traffic from mainland Cebu going to Mactan Island, where the airport is located, and vice versa, had been heavier the usual since last February 8. Repairs being done on the First Mandaue-Mactan Bridge (also called Serging Osmeña Bridge) by the Philippine’s Department of Public Works and the one-way traffic implemented for the repair caused the heavy traffic in the past weeks. Last February 19, however, the repairs have been confined to the sidewalk only and two-way traffic on the bridge has been returned.

After the numerous complaints received by DPWH from motorists, the DPWH has announced that to minimize effect on traffic, major repairs and the closure of the First Mandaue-Mactan Bridge will be put on hold and will resume once school vacation starts.

Nonethless, travelers are advised to leave Cebu City for the airport at least 4 hours before their scheduled flight to avoid late arrival for check-in.

Cebu will experience sunny days for the entire week. Minimum temperature is at 24°C and maximum temperature is at 32°C.

Seawaters in some public beaches in Lapu-lapu City have been found to have high levels of fecal bacteria. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has released this report thru a press conference which they held last March 02, 2016. The public is advised against swimming in public beaches in the city to avoid any health risk. Polluted water may contain several different disease-causing organisms. Marine life is affected too and thus also the quality of fish and seafood caught from contaminated water.

Summer is fast approaching and so it will be high peak season for hotels and resorts. Rates will increase when summer approaches but hotels and resorts in Cebu still offer discounts when guests book directly with them. For example, Pulchra Resorts offer their “20th Anniversary Promo” which includes an overnight stay with breakfast buffet and $20 (Php940) credit for room accommodation and another $20 (Php940) credit for incidentals per night.

This offer is valid until March 31, 2016 and their accommodation rate starts as low as $256 (Php12,000) net per night for the Lagoon Suite.

Shoppers can get exclusive deals and discounts when they shop at certain malls in Cebu. For instance, the “Fly PAL. Shop SM” promo will entitle shoppers a 10% discount when they shop at participating stores in SM Seaside City Cebu when they fly with Philippine Airlines, also known as PAL. Shoppers only need to present their boarding pass with PAL at the stores such as Uniqlo, Forever 21, The SM Store, The North Face, and Casa Verde.

This promo is also available at SM City Cebu and SM Consolacion and will last until today, February 29. It is valid for one week after arrival in Cebu.