THE Cebu City Government inaugurated the first phase of the Carbon Tourism Zone at M.L. Quezon Blvd. on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, introducing new facilities aimed at improving organization, safety, and environmental management in the area.
The newly completed facilities include a designated parking area, lane for kariton (carts), space for delivery vans, and a material recovery facility (MRF) for proper waste disposal.
Leading the inauguration were Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, Cebu Port Authority (CPA) general manager Kit Comendador, Megawide chief executive officer Edgar Saavedra, Cebu2World (C2W) president Louie Ferrer, and C2W deputy general manager Lydwena Eco.
According to Garcia, the kariton lane is essential for ensuring safer and smoother movement, while the MRF promotes cleanliness.
The first phase of the Carbon Tourism Zone includes a new parking area on M. L. Quezon Blvd. that can accommodate container trucks and delivery vans, serving as a vital drop-off point for goods delivered to the Carbon Public Market.
Plaza Sugbo, part of the heritage zone, is no longer used for parking.
The project aims to formalize employment for families in Carbon, providing them with Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and Pag-Ibig Fund benefits.
“This is not just progress; it’s empowerment. The ones who are faceless have now been given identity, value, and a vital role in representing our wonderful City to all who visit here,” Garcia said.
Following the inauguration, the newly renovated Cebu City Carbon Police Station 5 was turned over to the Cebu City Police Office. C2W, which carried out the renovation, is a subsidiary of Megawide Construction Corp. and the private partner awarded the Carbon Market development project.
Resolved issue
Garcia also addressed disputes over the Compaña Maritima area, saying the issue is already “water under the bridge.”
“We cannot deny that these disputes and delays halted development for over two long years,” he said.
On Dec. 23, 2022, Regional Trial Court Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras granted the CPA’s petition for a writ of preliminary injunction to prohibit the City Government from occupying any portion of the Compania Maritima area.
Peras favored the claim of the Republic of the Philippines and CPA. The claim stated the contested area belongs to the Baseport of Cebu and thus belongs to the state.
In his speech on Saturday, Comendador said the CPA has been made the villain against Cebu City Government. He agreed with Garcia’s diplomatic principles.
He said the area where the C2W is developing would be put to waste if not used, adding disputes between a local government unit and government agency would lead to the suffering of people.
Garcia announced on May 28, 2024, that the City Government and the CPA had reached a compromise agreement, which was submitted to the court trying the ownership case.
In the agreement, the City and CPA plan to transform the area for tourism and economic purposes, including converting Puso Village into a night market and establishing al fresco cafés and restaurants within the Companía Maritima structure.
Megawide said in its website that the Carbon Tourism Zone features Carbon modernized market, bagsakan, Sto. Niño chapel and park, interim public market building, Freedom Park, and the Barracks, which is a food destination. / JPS