This Week in Cebu (May 21 to 27, 2018)

Even as the summer sun bears down on the city for much of the day, a thunderstorm or two will dominate the evenings. Overcast skies will greet the week, with a stray thunderstorm in the morning and early evening. The gloomy weather will start to disappear in the middle of the week as the sun will finally show its face in the Queen City of the South. But the summer weather seems to be short-lived as thunderstorms are expected to rain on everyone’s parade. Despite the dreary weather, temperatures remain high as they range from 32 0C up to 34 0C.

As the traffic situation in Cebu takes a turn for the worse, policymakers are planning to implement a synchronized traffic management system before the end of the year. A Provincial Traffic Code ordinance will be passed to implement this traffic management system. In addition, an Inter-Agency Council for Traffic Operation and Management or I-ACT Cebu ordinance will regulate cultural and religious activities along major highways. The council will also reinforce existing traffic laws and train traffic officers. The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board (MCDCB) will find ways to implement the system even without the participation of Cebu City.

The repairs on Ouano Avenue in the North Reclamation Area (NRA) entered phase 2 recently. Contractors are already working on four lanes of the road. Delays in the project were caused by the unpredictable weather in Cebu. With the repairs on Ouano Avenue, only light vehicles are allowed to pass through the area. The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is expecting the whole project to be completed by March 3, 2019

As the Terminal 2 of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) nears completion, Philippine Airlines (PAL) is already planning international flights to and from one of the major hubs in the country. The country’s flag carrier is eyeing at least seven international flights to different Asian cities, including Bangkok, Beijing, Osaka, and Seoul. The new terminal features seven state-of-the-art passenger boarding bridges that can be expanded to 12. Domestic flights will continue to operate out of Terminal 1 of the airport.

Larsian, a barbecue food strip which has become one of the most iconic places in Cebu, is set to be renovated in June or July this year. It has become one of the landmarks of the city and is frequented by both locals and visitors alike. The rehabilitation will focus on expanding the stalls and building a parking space for customers. It will also deal with the sanitation problem that has hounded the place for some time already. Training and seminars will also be provided to tenants, stall owners, and workers of Larsian.

Following the Metro Ayala fire earlier this year, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered a freeze on the construction of high-rise buildings in the city. This ban has been lifted. With the lifting of the ban, developers can now process permits for their medium to high-rise buildings.