Tolentino (File Photo)
THE Cebu provincial government will serve as an “enabler” for all local government units (LGUs) hosting the Cobra Ironman 70.3 triathlon on Aug. 3.
“As far as the province of Cebu is concerned, if the organizers get arrangements with the other LGUs, we will support them. We get the parties together. The organizer can talk to the different LGUs, agencies,” Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino said yesterday.
Tolentino, who represents the province in the organizing team, said preparations for the event were going “smoothly ” with the cities of Talisay, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Cebu “very cooperative” in the meetings.
“There are just a few kinks that the organizers and the LGUs want to iron out. They have concerns about traffic. Hopefully it will be better this year,” Tolentino said as he asked the public to be patient when traffic gets congested on race day.
“What we would like is for the media and the public to appreciate that it’s an international event. It’s a chance for Cebu to handle a sporting event like this. It’s the third year so they like how Cebu is handling it,” he added.
Outcome
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the Cobra Ironman triathlon 70.3 has drawn foreign and domestic visitors and raised the province’s profile as a tourism destination.
He said the province is willing to continue hosting the event.
“Yes, why not? It attracts foreign visitors, athletes and it’s a big honor for Cebu that we have been chosen as the venue,” the governor said.
Organizers of the event said while they considered Davao, Legaspi, Subic and Bohol, Cebu is still the “ideal place” considering that it has an international airport and accommodations.
Princess Galura, project director of Sunrise Events Inc., said they will consider extending its three-year contract to hold the sporting event here.
But she said it depends on the outcome of the last leg on Aug.3 and the interest of Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu province.
Additional activities
In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza said they are 100 percent ready to host the race.
“These are just additional activities during the race and the night before the main event,” she said.
Among the activities being readied, Radaza said, are the band and pyrotechnics contests at the Discovery Bay on the evening of Aug. 2 and more decorated bancas on the swim leg of the Ironman event at Shangr-La’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa.
About 28,000 children and students will be on hand to wave flaglets and cheer on the runners.
The Matumbo road will be used as alternative routes for motorists passing through the northern and southern part of the island.
The barangays were also reminded to keep animals away from the streets along the race routes. /With Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza
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