City Hall denied Ironman permit for lack of fee?

Cebu City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr. wants Mayor Tomas Osmeña to answer reports that he required organizers of the Ironman triathlon to give him P5 million so they can use the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) as part of their race route.

In a Facebook post, Alcover alleged that the organizers did not give in to what the mayor wanted, prompting the latter to disallow the use of CSCR.

“Unsa ka tinuod nga gipangayuan ug P5 million ang organizers sa Ironman? Wala mohatag. Mao nga gi-order sa mayor nga dili na pasudlon sa syudad sa Cebu. Just asking,” reads Alcover’s post.

The same Facebook post was posted by Osmeña on his page. He then reiterated his stand on why he disapproved their request to use CSCR.

“The reason was only announced recently because the organizers only applied (for permit) recently. The organizers from Manila would be wise to not presume that announcing an event is the same as submitting an application with the City Government of Cebu,” he said.

“Despite the late application, Cebu City tried to accommodate them. Our stance was that as long as they start earlier or otherwise ensure that the route is clear before the traffic coming from the province becomes heavy, we will allow them to use the CSCR. They did not agree,” he added.

You can offer me P50 million. I still won’t change my mind. They (opposition) will ride on any issue if they think it will help them win next year. They still won’t win next year.

TOMAS OSMEÑA Cebu City Mayor

Dangerous

Aside from this, the mayor said that forcing traffic to only use one side of the CSCR would be dangerous.

“Two head-on collisions occurred the last time this was tried. It is to be avoided at all time,” he said.

The mayor believes that Alcover and the opposition are just making an issue because of next year’s election.

Meanwhile, former mayor Michael Rama said he would allow the Ironman organizers to use the coastal road if he would win as mayor again in 2019.

“It’s an international event. I have been a part of the discussion with key personalities before. I think the City can accommodate them,” he said. /