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This Week in Cebu (September 18 to 24, 2016)
Cebu Provincial Board seeks protection for thresher sharks.
By: Peter Parcon | September 18, 2016
LOCAL NEWS AND CURRENT AFFAIRS
Bicycle lanes to be put up in Cebu
Bicycle lanes proposed for the third bridge across the Mactan Channel
The Cebu City Council passed a resolution requesting the incorporation of bicycle lanes on the Cebu-Cordova Bridge. The resolution asked Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corporation (MPTDC) to set up bicycle lanes on both sides of the planned bridge. Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., who filed the resolution, wanted to encourage people to use bicycles rather than their cars to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and to encourage a healthy lifestyle.
The resolution comes as another snag hits the planned bridge after the barangay captains of Barangay Ermita and Barangay Pahina Central asked MPTDC to transfer the ramps of the bridge to either the South Road Properties or Compaña Maritima.
The resolution indicated that the current plan will affect a number of residents in the two barangays. Officials of Barangay Pasil expressed their opposition to the plan earlier since it will also affect some of their constituents. The planned third bridge crossing the Mactan Channel will have one end at the South Coastal Road while the other end will be in Cordova.
Proposal to include thresher sharks in endangered species list sought
A thresher shark in its natural habitat
The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) seeks protection for thresher sharks through a resolution approved recently. Requesting on behalf of the residents of the northern town of Daanbantayan, the PB appeals to the participants of the 17th Conference of Parties (COP) at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) happening on September 24 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Provincial Board Member Sun Shimura said it was necessary to include thresher sharks in the appendix of endangered species of CITES. The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species lists all three thresher shark species as “vulnerable” or having a high risk of endangerment in the wild.
Shimura said the thresher sharks are a “source of pride” for the residents of Malapascua Island off the coast of Daanbantayan, Cebu. The residents are enthusiastically protecting their natural resources since their livelihood depends on it.
WEATHER ADVISORY
Moderate to heavy traffic expected due to rains
Even as typhoon Ferdie left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) over the weekend, Cebu will still experience rainy weather for the week. The afternoon will be dominated by rain showers and thunderstorms causing flooding in major streets in the city.
TRAFFIC NEWS
Travelers going to the Mactan International Airport from the main business districts of Cebu should expect traffic to be moderate to heavy during lunchtime and early evening. Due to this, it is advisable to allot two more hours of travel time. The situation only worsens whenever it rains.
This comes as a popular traffic app named Cebu City as the “worst city to drive in.” The Waze annual Driver Satisfaction Index placed Cebu at the bottom of the list. The index focused on cities and countries with a population of over 20,000 for fair market comparisons and accuracy in the data presented.
MAJOR MALL SALES
Storage sale at The SM Store, Fitness Festival at Parkmall
SM Store offers discounts of up 50% on selected storage items (Photo courtesy of SM City Cebu)
The SM Store at SM City Cebu is giving discounts of up to 50% on selected storage items until the middle of October. The Storage Sale at the home section of the SM Store started on September 1 and will end on October 16.
For the whole month of September, Parkmall Cebu is offering different health, beauty, and fitness activities for its guests during the Fitness Festival 2016. Activities include a health, beauty, and wellness exposition from September 9 to 18.
Fitness enthusiasts can move to the groove at The Fitness Festival 2016 (Photo courtesy of Parkmall)
On September 16, guests can join the dance fitness activity together with the Dance Restless Crew, Yes FM, and Easyrock. Kata and sparring competitions will be held at the mall in preparation for the World Eskrima Tournament on September 17 and 18. A three-hour non-stop dance tournament is set on September 24, while fitness enthusiasts are dared to join the Parkmall Fitness Challenge on September 24.
The month-long festival will culminate in a dance jam party on September 30.
SIGHTSEEING TIPS
Seeing thresher sharks, manta rays at Malapascua
Aside from the thresher sharks, visitors can also get the chance to spot manta rays in Malapascua Island.
Malapascua Island is synonymous with thresher sharks since it is one of the few places where all three species can be found nearly every day. While the best time to go to Malapascua is during the summer, visitors can still expect to see the rich underwater life surrounding the island in the month of September.
The best place to find the thresher sharks in Malapascua Island is at the Monad Shoal, which is a 1.5-kilometer rock stump featuring a 200-meter drop at the edge. The sharks are normally spotted just before sunrise. Aside from the thresher sharks, the waters surrounding Malapascua Island is also home to manta rays, devil rays, eagle rays, and hammerheads.
It is also important for visitors to keep in mind that the last trip from Maya Port to Malapascua Island is at 3:00 PM. If they miss the last trip, they can opt to stay the night in Daanbantayan or hire a boat to take them to the island.
It has been reported that on June 12, 2016, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier ran aground on the Monad Shoal. Nonetheless, the MV Belle Rose caused limited damage to the shoal and efforts are underway to rehabilitate the area.
Malapascua Island is under the administrative jurisdiction of Barangay Logo, Daanbantayan, Cebu.
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About Peter Parcon
After leaving spending 16 years of his professional life in the academe, Peter decided to try his luck in the world of online freelancing. For the past eight years, he has been creating content for clients all around the world. He can work on just about any topic - from tattoos to technology and food to finance. He dreams of visiting every island in the archipelago some day.
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