This Week in Cebu (October 09 to 15, 2017)

Locals and tourists can expect increased police visibility in public areas in Cebu this October. The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be setting up more checkpoints to enforce the gun ban even with the suspension of the barangay elections until May 2018.

The gun ban and other poll-related prohibitions will be implemented starting Oct. 1. There will be at least one Commissions on Elections (COMELEC) checkpoint in each city or municipality.

Senior Supt. Joel Doria, the chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has asked the public to cooperate with policemen at checkpoints.

For diners who want to eat in Cebu on a budget, StrEat Food & Drinks is one viable option. At this 20-seater food spot in Urgello, everything on the menu is less than PhP100. They serve buffalo wings, tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet), fish fillet, and calamares (breaded fried squid). They also have chicken pops, chicken fingers, sisig (sizzling pig’s head and liver), pork chop, fish and fries, and ramen. One can also order extras like kimchi or eggs.

Aside from heritage sites, the southern Cebu municipality of Boljoon boasts of the natural wonder that is Ili Rock. The mountain formation carved with man-made pathways was a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways to prevent landslides. It has also become a tourist spot, as it offers a panoramic view of the town, its surrounding seas, as well as the neighboring islands of Siquijor and Bohol.

Ili Rock is open daily from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Entrance is free.

Those planning to give a sweet take-home gift or pasalubong from Cebu can consider giving goodies from Cake in a Can. Their cakes come in colorful food-grade metallic cans, making desserts easy and convenient to eat while on the go. Cake in a Can comes in decadent chocolate and red velvet flavors. The can covers can also be customized for gift-giving or as a souvenir for special events. Cake in a Can products are sold at Sugbo Mercado in the Garden Bloc of IT Park. They also offer on-the-day shipping to Bohol and Dumaguete.

Sports apparel brand Salomon will be holding the Cebu leg of the Pilipinas Salomon X Trail Run 2017. The event will take place this October 15 at Foressa Mountain Town in Balamban, Cebu. The race will have 11-km. and 21-km. categories with registration fees of PhP700 and PhP1,200, respectively. Participants can claim their race kits on Oct. 11 at the Cebu Wing of SM Seaside City Cebu. A race briefing will also be held at 6:00 PM on the same day.

Commuters and motorists can expect heavier traffic along N. Bacalso Avenue for the next three to four months. This is because of the ongoing road work for P683-million underpass project.

The Cebu City Transportation Office has advised that heavy traffic is anticipated in the area during the morning rush, and around 6:00 PM. Thus, it is advisable to refrain from going there unless necessary. Southbound motorists will have to pass through Caimito St., Ma. Gochan St., Ganciang St. and Katipunan St., before turning to F. Llamas St. towards their destination. Those going to Talisay City may take Tagunol St.

Transport groups in Cebu are pushing to increase jeepney fares by up to PhP1.50. The Cebu Integrated Transport Service Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Citrasco) has filed a petition to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to increase the fare by PhP1. On the other hand, Basak Lapu-Lapu City Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association, Inc.-National Confederation of Transportworkers Union-Visayas (Balacjoda-NCTU) has asked for an increase of PhP1.50. However, commuters opposed the PhP1 increase in a hearing set by the LTFRB last Oct. 2. The LTFRB Manila central office will issue a decision on both petitions.