This Week in Cebu (August 18 to 24, 2019)

The week starts with a bit of sunlight shining through the clouds in the Queen City of the South. But it’s still advisable to bring your rain gear since scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected until Tuesday. By the middle of the week, the sun will be out in its full glory. Some cloud cover is expected, but Cebu will still experience generally sunny weather during the day. The fair weather will continue until Thursday before nature will remind us over the weekend that it’s still the rainy season in this part of the world. Temperatures will be between 25°C and 33°C [1].

When the Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (Scats) was first installed, Cebu was the toast of the country. But that was three decades ago and it’s about time for the traffic system to receive an upgrade according to Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella. This announcement came after the traffic lights of 14 major intersections shut down on August 13. Ronie Nadera, the spokesperson for the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), said the issue happened after the digital board of the system broke down. The mayor said modernization of the traffic system is already in the budget, and they will hold a public bidding for the project soon. Aside from upgrading its traffic system, a light railway transit (LRT) system will also help improve the traffic situation in the city. Construction will start at the end of the year [2].

The Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) recently recognized the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as a Breastfeeding Friendly Public Place. The award was given at the 1st Asia-Pacific Breastfeeding Conference and 7th Breastfeeding Congress on August 7. It recognizes the effort of the MCIA in ensuring breastfeeding mothers feel welcome and safe at the airport. GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC) chief executive advisor Andrew Acquaah-Harrison said the baby care room was introduced after the first airport user’s forum. It was opened in Terminal 1 of the airport on May 2016. The room has four breastfeeding cubicles fitted with curtain partitions, lavatories, a refrigerator, and nappy changing stations. The baby care room also has monitors that allow mothers to track their flights without leaving the room. Aside from travelers, mothers working at the airport can also use the facility [3].

A national park featuring Lapu-Lapu in the South Road Properties (SRP) is on the drawing boards of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the City Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC). NHCP Chairman Rene Escalante said the Quincentennial National Park will be similar to Luneta Park in Manila but will have a statue of Lapu-Lapu instead of Jose Rizal. It is also envisioned to become the Luneta of the South. The park will be part of the preparations for 500th anniversary of the victory of Lapu-Lapu over Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. While Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella will review the proposal, he already expressed his support for the project. The city government will determine the size of the lot that will be set aside for the park [4].

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