Colon closure to give way to month-long night market

CEBU, Philippines - Colon Street will again be closed for more than a month to make way for the 2nd Colon Shopping Festival and Night Market.

The City Council recently approved a resolution granting the holding of the night market from June 10 to July 13.

According to the resolution authored by Councilor Nestor Archival, night market is Cebu City’s way of taking part in the Cebu Business Month by conducting entrepreneurial activities on Colon Street.

The said activity has already the approval of Supt. Marciano Batiancela Jr., head of the Cebu City Traffic Group, provided that the organizer will undertake precautionary measures for the safety of the participants.

Kalubihan barangay captain Rexy Millan also issued the necessary permit.

The temporary road closure of a portion of Colon Street will start from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

George Chu, president of the Downtown Revitalization Project, said that they will make sure that materials obstructing the said street would be removed immediately after the activity.

Chu in earlier reports said there is so much that needs to be done in the downtown area, especially in the historic Colon Street where “old commercial buildings and a history of Cebu’s commerce and trade still remain.”

The Downtown Revitalization Project is initiated by Vice Mayor Michael Rama three years ago.

Under the program, vendors in the downtown area will be regulated and stores and business establishments will be compelled to clean their surroundings and promote a greener sidewalk.

Colon Street is a crowded street in downtown Cebu City. It is the oldest street in the Philippines named after the explorer Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon). It traces its origins to the town plan by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, the Spanish conquistador who arrived in the Philippines to establish a colony in 1565. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)