This Week in Cebu (January 26 to February 2, 2019)

Even after a week after the grandest festival in the country, the weather in the Queen City of the South has yet to improve. Clouds still hover over the city as rain showers are expected on Saturday and Sunday. A slight improvement may come on Monday as the sun peeks from behind the clouds. But, the rainy weather will return on Tuesday before another brief respite on Wednesday. The week will end with rain showering different parts of Cebu. Temperatures for the week in the Queen City of the South will be between 22 0C up to 31 0C [1].

Traffic in Cebu has gone from bad to worse in recent years, and one way deal with this issue is riding a habal-habal (motorcycle taxi). While existing laws prevent the use of motorcycles as public transportation, local officials in Cebu are in agreement that this mode of transportation is essential in mountain barangays. While issues have risen with the proliferation of habal-habals, this was addressed by Angkas, a ride-sharing service using motorcycles. However, this was short-lived following a recent Supreme Court ruling that effectively banned the service. But, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has formed a technical working group to study the feasibility of allowing motorcycles to be used for public transportation.

See Also: Take a Stress-Free Trip with These Island Hopping Tours in Cebu City

Cebu Pacific Air started the strict implementation of their policy for check-in baggage on January 15, 2019. Charo Lagamon, spokesperson for the airline, said the policy is the same one the company announced last year. It will only be strictly monitoring it. The policy limits the number of baggage for a specific purchased weight. Passengers who purchase the standard baggage allowance can check in up to two pieces of baggage. On the other hand, an extra large baggage allowance allows passengers to check in four pieces of baggage. If they exceed the allowable number, passengers have to pay for excess luggage. In the past, passengers were allowed to check-in as many luggage as they wanted as long as they did not go over the allowable baggage allowance.

The recent issue on medical wastes found floating in the Mactan Channel was downplayed by the Hotels, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC). While Lapu-Lapu City health officials advised against swimming in the Mactan Channel, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza said it was safe to swim on the other side of the island or along the Hilutungan Channel. Carlo Suarez, HRRAC president, said the issue was an isolated case and the local government was already addressing it together with the hospitals involved. He added that occupancy among Mactan resorts and hotels is high for the month of January.

The Sinulog Grand Parade may be over, but visitors can still look forward to some Sinulog-related activities for the week. One of these activities is the Sinulog street fair along Osmeña Boulevard, which runs until the end of January. Visitors can look for great bargains in the stalls set up for the street fair. Another activity is the awarding of the Sinulog photo contest and short film contest February 2 at SM Seaside City Cebu. On the same day, visitors can check out some of the best shots taken by photo contest participants at the photo exhibit of Sinulog 2019 at SM Seaside City Cebu.

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