Tomas not changing his mind
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will not change his mind in refusing to let the organizer of Ironman 70.3 Philippines Asia-Pacific Championships use the Cebu South Coastal Road (CSCR), saying the riding public has suffered so much horrendous traffic in the south district due to the ongoing construction of the N. Bacalso Avenue underpass project.
This after Liloan Mayor Christina Garcia Frasco appealed to Governor Hilario Davide III to request Osmeña to reconsider allowing the organizer to use the CSCR.
"Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan basic principle, you think we don't have principles? Very simple principle in a democracy, majority rules but the minority has rights. I will not let the people of Pardo suffer because some tourists go bicycling, sorry, minority has rights," Osmeña told reporters.
Even though Liloan town has been supportive of sports events, Frasco also declined the application of Sunrise Events Inc., the organizer of the event, to use the roads because they have no alternate route for vehicular traffic.
"However, since the proposal is total road closure, I expressed my concerns ranging from heavy traffic, possible emergencies, massive inconvenience to residents and commuters, pedestrian risk, to loss of income from local vendors and establishments. I said that if they close our main roads for that long they should be able to provide an alternative route for people to pass," read part of Frasco's press statement issued last Thursday.
The event organizer decided to approach the northern town after Osmeña declined their application last June 22 for this year's hosting of the event.
Osmeña said he will not change his mind even if Davide asks for a reconsideration, saying the CSCR is the only access route for buses and private vehicles heading to the southern and northern parts of the province.
Northbound and southbound public utility jeepneys are currently being rerouted to smaller access roads along N. Bacalso Avenue due to the ongoing construction of P638-million underpass project.
"No, he's (Davide) not the minority, I'm just protecting the rights of the minority and Davide is not minority," Osmeña said.
The mayor said it is not easy to make a decision but he has to listen to the concern of the public who are suffering from the traffic congestion every day. He said while the event is a prestigious one, he can no longer burden the riding public with more problems.
He said he earlier proposed to the organizer to have the event start in the City of Naga and finish it before 6 a.m., but the latter said this was not possible.
"I give them the option of starting in Naga so that by 6 a. m., this is empty already. They don't like. Who do they think they are?As if they own the city," Osmeña said.
LAPU-LAPU, MANDAUE AGREE
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue City have agreed to host the Ironman event on August 5.
Mayor Paz Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City and Mayor Luigi Quisumbing of Mandaue City already agreed to Sunrise Event's new proposal of the bike route. Most of the 90-kilometer route will take place in Lapu-Lapu City while the bike leg will pass through mostly the same route it had in Mandaue in previous editions.
Radaza assured there will be a lane dedicated to commuters while those going to or leaving the Mactan-Cebu International Airport can use the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.
Those from Cordova who want to go outside Mactan Island have, will have alternative routes and also the ferry, said Cebu Province point person Joy Tumulak.
The race, which features triathletes from over 50 countries starts and ends at the Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa with a 1.9-kilometer swim followed by a 90-kilometer bike from some roads in Lapu-Lapu City to Mandaue City and back, looping most likely thrice before proceeding with a 21-kilometer run in Lapu-Lapu City only. —