This Week in Cebu (June 05 to 11, 2017)

With Mindanao put on martial law, passengers can anticipate heightened security in Cebu City. The Cebu Port Authority, Maritime Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard will be screening passengers arriving by boat through X-ray machines and K9 units. On the other hand, the Cebu City Police Office has set up security blockades in strategic places around the city. Police will be inspecting in plain view both public and private vehicles, especially motorcycles and heavily tinted cars.

Police visibility also increases this week with help desks, traffic control, and anti-criminality operations in full swing under Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE). Under the back-to-school program of the Department of Education Region 7 (DepEd-7) and partner agencies, Cebu City Police Office personnel from 11 police stations will be deployed to ensure the smooth opening of classes. DepEd-7 will be setting up public assistance stations as well as a regional action center at the DepEd-7 office in Lahug. The regional action center, which is open from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, will respond to general queries and concerns from the public.

Students and freelancers looking for a place to work, study, have meetings, or simply hang out especially while it’s raining outside can do so at Degree 9 Coffee. This Korean coffee shop offers a wide array of caffeine-based and non-caffeine drinks. They also serve desserts, savory snacks, and breakfast meals to complement their drinks. Degree 9 Coffee has two branches in Mabolo and Mandaue City which are open from 7:00 AM until 2:00 AM.

Read: 5 Popular Coffee Shops in Cebu

With the onset of the rainy season, The Department of Public Works and Highways is aiming to speed up its flood control projects around the city. The government has poured in PhP949 million into these projects which will cover several barangays. The DPWH Cebu office currently has 42 flood mitigation projects, one of which is the replacement of box culverts with a flat slab bridge along T. Padilla St. Aside from this, the DPWH is working on improving the drainage systems in the major rivers of Lahug, Guadalupe, and Butuanon.

Read: How to Travel Wisely This Rainy Season

Locals and travelers can see the Cebuano version of the Chocolate Hills without leaving the province. Casino Peak in Sitio Lugsangan, Dalaguete has hilly formations similar to the famous tourist site in Bohol. The path leading to Casino Peak can be found along the trail to Osmeña Peak. To get there, one can take a bus from Cebu City to Dalaguete, then ride a habal-habal, or an improvised motorcycle from the town junction to the foot of either Casino Peak or Osmeña Peak.

Read: The Budget Traveler’s Guide to an Argao Adventure in Cebu

Lumba’g Laag sa Sugbo: A Race to Cebu’s Hidden Attractions will be held this week from June 10 to 12. The interactive racing event and adventure challenge aims to showcase the undiscovered tourism sites, food, people, culture, and heritage of southern Cebu. Registration for a team of four racers is at PhP10,000. The event is organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce, Habagat Outdoor Equipment, the Department of Tourism, and the Province of Cebu.

Cebu is home to various local delicacies, one of which is the salvaro. Salvaro is a wafer-thin biscuit made of wheat flour, sugar, and shredded coconut. One popular brand of salvaro is Gene’s Salvaro de Cebu, which is sold at the Gene’s Salvaro de Cebu outlet in V. Rama Ave., and in SM Supermarket and Metro Supermarket Ayala. Their salvaro retails at PhP29 for a 110-g. pack, PhP47 for a 200-g. pack, and PhP85 for a 400-g. pack.

Read: The Most Popular Pasalubong Items from Cebu and Where to Buy Them