CEBU City Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros asked the skateboarders in the city who are waiting to get their skate park to have more patience as the City Government looks for an alternative site for the project.

Hontiveros made the call after Cebuana Margielyn Didal said the medals she won in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are a reminder of the need for a skate park.

The councilor said he also asked the City’s finance committee to augment the budget for sports development programs.

With Cebuano athletes reaping several medals in the SEA Games, the City Government will hold a “heroes’ welcome” for the athletes on Monday, Dec. 16, during the flag ceremony.

The Philippines continues to lead the medal tally with 118 gold medals, 87 silver and 91 bronze medals as of 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9.

In an interview Monday, Hontiveros said the proposed site for the skate park located beside the Fort San Pedro in Cebu City is not ideal since it is in an area near heritage sites.

Hontiveros is the chairman of the City Council committee on games and amusement and vice chair of the committee on youth and sports development.

Hontiveros made the skateboarders understand that the City also cannot let them use the covered court across the San Nicolas Church since the City Market Authority allowed some fish vendors affected by the construction of the Pasil Fish Port to occupy the area.

“Nangayo mi og pasensya. Hangyo lang ko nga patas-an ang ilang pasensya (We are asking for more patience),” said Hontiveros.

He said that for now, they are waiting for the recommendation of the City Planning Office on the possible sites for the skate park.

Mayor Edgardo Labella also encouraged the skateboarders in the city to visit him in his office so he can listen to their sentiments.

It has been a year now since the City, during the time of former mayor Tomas Osmeña, held the groundbreaking ceremony for the skate park.

According to Labella, he also learned that the area is also not suitable for skateboarding. (JJL)