THE Cebu City Government is now expediting all engineering works at the South Road Properties (SRP), less than two weeks before the comeback of physical activities of the Sinulog Festival.
City Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, told SunStar Cebu Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, that the asphalting of around two kilometers of road pavement is still ongoing and is expected to be finished by next week.
Guardo said that the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has allocated 324 tons of asphalt for the construction project that is expected to improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the Sinulog Grand Parade and Ritual Showdown on Jan. 15.
These roads, located beside a mall in SRP, will serve as entry and exit points going to the grandstand for spectators who want to witness the live performances of the contingents, he added.
The City Government is also constructing three alternative and temporary roads coming from Barangay Mambaling, Inayawan and Basak-San Nicolas. All of these roads lead to SRP.
The stage for the grand ritual showdown is now being installed at an open ground in SRP where then-presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. held his campaign rally last year.
Fund sources
Guardo said that he does not have the information on the cost of the projects, but the asphalting budget is sourced from the DEPW.
The construction costs of the alternative roads will be shouldered by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Private construction firms are also helping the City by providing additional manpower and heavy equipment, he added.
Guardo said that civil works for the various infrastructure projects are still on schedule but he hopes that no weather interruption will happen in the coming days to avoid delays.
The asphalting of the road pavement will also provide additional convenience to spectators, especially in the event of a rainy weather on Sinulog day as it will mitigate the possibility of having muddy roads, he said.