Cebu City shuts road to Ironman
A CASUALTY OF TRAFFIC
For the last six years, Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) has played host to the biking course of international triathlon Ironman 70.3, thanks to its long and wide lanes and a picturesque view of the city skyline and harbor.
It won’t be the case this year. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has declined the request of Ironman organizer Sunrise Events to use CSCR at the South Road Properties for the 2018 edition of the action-packed triathlon event, invoking public convenience.
“Well, they (organizers) are asking if they could have the Ironman done here (by) partially closing the SRP. I said I like the Ironman but what comes first? So many people are complaining about the traffic. People have undergone so much agony already so I declined,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.
Sunrise Events general manager Princess Galura was quick to allay concerns the competition may be postponed for lack of venue, saying they are determined to push through with the event on August 5 with or without Cebu City's participation.
To note, the ongoing construction of a P638million underpass on N. Bacalso Avenue has spurred monstrous traffic in Cebu City's south district, especially during peak hours.
Bus trips to and from southern Cebu have been diverted to CSCR because part of N. Bacalso was closed to make way for the underpass' construction.
Public utility vehicles plying the southern corridor have been also rerouted to smaller access roads, creating traffic bottlenecks.
In a meeting on Thursday afternoon, Osmeña pointed out this traffic problem to organizers.
“It's very prestigious to host Ironman but you know, I cannot make prestige for that sake and make people miserable,” he said.
Asked if he was amenable to the idea of getting other areas in Cebu City co-host the event, Osmeña replied: “I don't know, that's another story. That's a whole new game. But going to the south is definitely out of the question kay mao na ang bottleneck.”
In a separate interview, SRP Management head Nagiel Bañacia, who was also present during the meeting with organizers, has welcomed the mayor's decision as it puts the welfare of the riding public first.
He said that since N. Bacalso Avenue is too congested at the moment, CSCR serves as an important passage linking the north and south of Cebu.
“Tan-awon man gud nato, ni-weigh og dako atong tulubagon sa katawhan nga sirad-an nato ang South Coastal Road nga ang rason nga naa ra'y triathlon. Sa perspective sa public service, iuna gyud ang mga tawo, ang kaayuhan sa tanan,” he said.
Another reason, Bañacia said, why the city government has grown more concerned about holding sporting events at the SRP is the rising incidence of road accidents during such events.
“It was a sad experience. Gisira ang SRP for an important event unya three hours duna'y vehicular accident. Taas kaayo og risgo if mao na,” said Bañacia, without dropping any names.
Three sporting event applications that involved the use of CSCR have already been turned down this year for the same reason.
‘SIMPLY OA’
Yet for Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, the mayor may just well be “overacting.”
“The recent decision of the mayor not to allow Ironman to pass SRP is simply OA. He just wants to give the impression that he cares for the public who is already unnecessarily disturbed by his stupid tunnel,” Garganera said.
“The truth of the matter is, he is the cause of the traffic and his 700-meter tunnel which costs P700 million and 700 days to complete doesn't even address the traffic problem there. He is the original Kulang Sa Pansin,” he added.
The FREEMAN tried to reach Department of Tourism-7 Director Shalimar Tamano to ask whether Cebu City's decision would impact the city's attractiveness in sports tourism, but he did not return the calls and text messages yesterday.
But Carlos Suarez, president of another tourism group Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association in Cebu (HRRAC), believes that Osmeña's move is founded on valid grounds.
“The mayor will surely have valid reasons for making such decision,” he said. “My hope is for the Ironman organizers to find alternative routes and not make this issue a major hiccup or show-stopper. I know the mayor's interest is also promoting Cebu tourism as a whole, like most of us in the hospitality industry.”
PLAN B
Ironman, one of the world's toughest triathlons, is a 70.3-mile (113-kilometer) race in which participants swim for a distance of 1.9 kilometers, bike for 90 kilometers, and run for a total of 21.1 kilometers.
The recent development means Sunrise Events is now left with about six weeks to look for an alternative route.
Yesterday, Galura revealed that a Plan B is in the works, although she did not divulge additional details.
She expressed optimism though that they can pull off another successful staging this year with Capitol's cooperation.
“We will move on and make it happen. With the support of the province, we are confident that we can do it,” she said.
Governor Hilario Davide III, who left for the United States on Thursday, was already informed of Cebu City's refusal to host the event, according to Provincial Sports Commission executive director Ramil Abing.
Davide reportedly tried to convince the city government to reconsider its judgment but to no avail. Nevertheless, Abing said the governor respects the city's decision.
Abing said Davide has urged the organizers to tap local government units in the north as possible alternative routes.
If things go according to plan, it will be the seventh year Cebu would see Ironman 70.3 action and the second time to witness the Asia-Pacific championship.
The first Ironman APAC championship was also held in Cebu in 2016.
The impressive hosting by the local government units of Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cebu City, Talisay City, and Cebu province was among the factors considered by the World Triathlon Corporation, the owner of Ironman, in choosing Cebu as venue of the APAC championship for another time this year.