Cebu News Digest: Feb. 3, 2015: Citom to motorists: Avoid S. Osmeña Blvd.; 17 shipowners in Cebu cut passenger, cargo fares; 6 hospital workers under investigation for cadaver gnawed by rats

Following the long congestion last the weekend, the Cebu City Government partially opened a part of the S. Osmeña Blvd. but still advised motorists to avoid it.

With the steady drop of fuel prices since June, 17 shipowners, including banca operators, in Cebu have filed their notices to lower passenger and cargo fare. The fare cuts are effective starting Feb. 1.

Meanwhile, an investigation is going on at Cebu City Medical Center to check on the case of a cadaver that was allegedly gnawed by rats in the hospital’s holding area.

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Here are the top Cebu news stories for today, February 3, 2015:

CCMC corpse rats — Golddy Amor Siton was shocked to see the body of her brother, Harold Siton, whose nose was allegedly gnawed by rats inside the hospital’s holding area for cadavers. (Photo by Ryan Sorote of News5)

Citom tells motorists to find alternative routes; Cebu Port Authority opens its road to vehicles

While the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) partially opened a part of the S. Osmeña Blvd. after last weekend’s complaints of traffic congestion, Citom still advised motorists to avoid it and find alternative routes.

“We asked motorists to take alternative routes because we are still expecting some congestion. We are continuously monitoring the area since S. Osmeña is a vital arterial highway.” — Atty. Rafael Yap, reinstated Citom executive director

People from Mandaue City going to Cebu City and vice versa can use the Mandaue North Road.
Those from Mandaue City heading to Cebu Business Park will take F. Cabahug Street.
People coming from A.S. Fortuna will have to take the Banilad-Talamban corridor.
Those coming from downtown area can take M.J. Cuenco Avenue towards Sikatuna Street then Baclig Avenue to J. Luna Street.

“We don’t want to repeat the Saturday’s performance because that was four-hour congestion.” — Atty. Rafael Yap

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said that the Cebu Port Authority agreed to open its road and remove its fence. This move is seen to ease traffic on S. Osmeña Blvd.

“If (the) fence is lost, you will already see a beautiful wide range of road towards Plaza Independencia. That will bring beauty in that area.” — Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama

Sun.Star Cebu: CH opens half of road to ease congestion
The Freeman: Experiment revised after traffic jam

17 shipowners in Cebu, including banca operators, cut down passenger and cargo fare

The fare cuts, which were effective starting last Feb. 1, ranged from 1.17 percent to 14.28 percent, depending on the operational cost of the shipping company.

George and Peter Lines cut down fares by 1.63 percent;
Lapulapu Shipping Lines, 4.55 percent;
Roble Shipping Lines, three percent;
Lite Shipping Lines, 3.5 percent;
Danilo Lines Inc., 2.7 percent;
Trans Asia Shipping Lines, 14.28 percent;
Cokaliong Shipping Lines, 1.09 percent;
Gabisan Shipping Lines, 3.22 percent;
Medallion Transport, two percent.

Motorized bancas owners who did the same include Sea Highway Carrier, Dragon Star Highway, Siti Inter-Island Cargo and Services, Manuel H. Sarraga, Gliser Omolon, Gregoria E. Pogoy, Eduardo D. Quijano, and Ernest Sonobos.

Sun.Star Cebu: Majority of shipowners in Cebu slashed passenger, cargo fares

Cadaver gnawed by rats in CCMC; hospital calls it “isolated case”

Six personnel are now under investigation after the family of deceased Harold Siton was allegedly found with four big rats gnawing at his nose inside the cadavers holding area of the Cebu City Medical Center.

CCMC Director for Administration Rey Cris Panugaling emphasized that what happened is an “isolated case,” saying that the holding area, a container van, is made up of steel and is enclosed.

The hospital is now investigating the case.