This Week in Cebu (April 30 to May 6, 2018)

Even as the month of May rolls in, rain showers and thunderstorms will still be affecting a good part of Cebu. The sun will make a brief appearance on Monday when there’s only a 55% chance of precipitation, but aside from that, you can expect the rest of the week to be wet. Tuesday will see rain showers in the morning. It will be no different on Wednesday all the way to Saturday when a thunderstorm or two will affect Metro Cebu in the afternoon. A slight improvement is expected on Sunday when there is only a 60% chance of precipitation. Temperatures for the week leading up to May are between 26 0C and 34 0C [1].

The traffic situation in Cebu is nearly up to a point where walking brings you faster to your destination compared to driving. In an effort to ease traffic in the city, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is planning to demolish structures along major roads in Metro Cebu [2]. Among the obstructions to be removed are illegally-parked vehicles, illegal terminals, and fixed structures on the major roads in Cebu.

Air Juan is aiming to use the waters of the archipelago as an alternate takeoff and landing area [3]. According to its CEO and President, John Anthony Gutierrez, the company invested in a fleet of Cessna Grand Caravan EX Seaplanes to allow tourists to access islands that have no airstrips or airports. They want to offer an option to customers looking to get from one place to another in a short period of time.

The company aims to set up the South Road Properties in Cebu as a hub for seaplane operations in the Visayas, servicing destinations like Leyte’s Kalanggaman Island, Sumilon Island in Oslob, and Lakawon Resort in Negros.

Oslob tourism officer Elizabeth Benologa said visitors to the Sumilon Island sandbar will be limited to 500 a day [4]. The new regulation was implemented by the Municipality of Oslob to prevent pollution in the island. In addition, tourists will only have a limited number of hours to stay in the sandbar. While the island is managed by the Bluewater Sumilon Island Resort , it is still within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Oslob.

A committee is set to be created to manage the development of Osmeña Peak [5]. The highest peak in Cebu is a popular destination for mountain climbers and hikers. This comes after the local governments of Badian and Dalaguete, the DENR, and the provincial government discussed ways in developing Osmeña Peak while ensuring the safety of local and foreign tourists.

While the Cebu City government typically sets ups portable toilets in cemeteries during All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day, Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. is looking at passing an ordinance to ensure its implementation every year [6]. The councilor said an ordinance will ensure portable toilets are installed a week before and after All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day. It will also require graveyard management to install them in places accessible to the elderly and disabled. In addition, the ordinance will also establish operational guidelines to ensure they are implemented every year regardless of who sits as mayor. The proposal was referred to the committee on laws during the regular session of the Cebu City Council last April 17.