Ironman’s challenge will test governor’s powers of persuasion
Liloan Mayor Christina Frasco urged the Provincial Government to persuade Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to let Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship participants use the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR) next month.
“Before we further explore any alternate routes, let us go back to the original Ironman route. When the use of the South Road Properties (SRP) was originally denied, the most prudent measure to be taken is to exhaust all possible efforts that the decision to deny it be reconsidered,” Frasco said.
No luck yesterday.
“This is a hard decision, but people of Cebu have suffered already, agwanta gyud sila,” said Mayor Osmeña in a separate interview. He said he had suggested that the organizers start in Naga so that the coastal road would be clear by 6 a.m.
“They don’t like it. Who do they think they are? As if they own Cebu. I like events like that but don’t make people suffer,” Osmeña said.
Since 2009 when Ironman organizers first held the race in Cebu, the 90-kilometer bike leg has always included the SRP. This year, however, traffic from an ongoing underpass construction on N. Bacalso Ave. prompted the Cebu City mayor to deny the Ironman organizers’ request to use the coastal road.
Will he reconsider?
Osmeña said he will not change his decision even if Gov. Hilario Davide III will ask him personally.
For her part, Mayor Frasco is also steadfast in her stand to not allow Ironman organizers to close Liloan’s main road for two hours, so triathletes can complete the bike leg.
Frasco appealed to Governor Davide, who is a close ally of Osmeña, to exercise his “considerable influence” in persuading the Cebu City mayor to reconsider his decision.
Davide is reporting back to work today after a 15-day vacation leave.
Frasco again explained that closing the national highway and Cebu North Coastal Road for eight hours would have devastating results not just for Liloan but for motorists going to and from Northern Cebu.
Based on observations by the Liloan Traffic Commission from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. last Sunday, July 1, a total of 27,671 vehicles used the national highway and the Cebu North Coastal Road.
Of the vehicles, 11,937 were private cars while 7,864 were public utility jeeps and buses. “Just imagine the monstrous traffic that the eight-hour road closure could cause,” Frasco said.
Emergency vehicles traveling from Northern Cebu toward Metro Cebu or vice-versa would be affected if the roads are closed.
Based on forecasts by Liloan’s Business Permit and Licensing Office, an estimated P51.5 million in economic losses would be felt by businesses in Liloan if the road closure proceeds.
Frasco also denied that her refusal to let Liloan be included in the Ironman’s 90-kilometer bike leg is a political stunt aim at discrediting Davide. Frasco is the eldest daughter of Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia (Cebu Province, third district), who defeated Davide in the 2010 elections and may run against him in 2019.
“Dili man siguro na pamolitika kung magtan-aw ta sa kapakanan sa atong mga igsuon sa Liloan ug sa kapakanan sa atong mga igsuong Sugbuanon (Protecting the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Liloan and the rest of Cebu can’t be dismissed as mere politicking),” Frasco added.