New Tuburan boulevard to be inaugurated today

CEBU, Philippines – The municipal government of the western town of Tuburan will open today its new boulevard, which is patterned after the Roxas Boulevard in Manila.

Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante said mayors of the neighboring towns of Pinamungahan, Asturias, Balamban, Tabuelan, and San Remigio and the cities of Toledo and Bogo will be invited to witness the event. Diamante said the boulevard is the first ever project of such kind in that area.

The boulevard stretches up to 150 meters and was built for not more than P1 million, Diamante said. Construction started August this year.

He said the lighting of Christmas lights worth P200,000 will highlight the event, which Diamante himself donated. He said he doesn't want the municipality to spend for the lights.

Diamante said vendors who used to occupy the area had to be relocated to give way to the rehabilitation of the place. He said the boulevard will be a tourist destination and recreational center for residents of Tuburan who may not have enough means to visit other places.

He said vendors will be allowed to sell food and drinks and other goods, but only in designated areas at the boulevard.

"The spirit of Christmas must be felt by the Tuburan residents no matter how hard life is. They must have a space to enjoy the Christmas holidays. That is' why we decided to make the biggest Christmas tree and Christmas lights ever in our town," Diamante said.

Diamante said earlier he will not claim his salary, but will instead donate it to the town's 54 barangays which are in dire need of financial backing for their projects. (FREEMAN)