Lack of permits stalls construction of skate park

CEBU, Philippines — The processing of necessary permits has stalled the construction of a skate park at the back of Fort San Pedro.

It’s almost three months since the groundbreaking ceremony of the skate park but until now, construction work has yet to start.

“Makasugod na gyud based on the program of works and estimates (POWE). Kompleto naman ang POWE, kompleto na ang revision ba. Naghuwat nalang gyud sa permits,” said Cebu City Councilor Eugenio Gabuya Jr., City Council’s chairman of the committee on games, amusement, and sports. (We already completed the program of works and estimates but we are still waiting for the permits.)

Gabuya said the permits are pending for the approval of the zoning board, specifically for the land use application.

He said the city government should comply with all the construction permits to avoid legal issues in the future.

“Mga necessary permits sa construction kanang zoning board kinahanglan mana og land use application and all the normal permits, dili mosugod if dili makompleto ang permits,” Gabuya told The FREEMAN. (We cannot start until we have all the necessary permits.)

The design of the skate park shows a rink with street course, flat course for beginners, half pipe, bowl, pump track, and mini-grand stand.

Phase one of the project involves flat course and street course of the skate park which has a budget of P5 million donated by Maria Victoria “Minnie” Osmeña, sister of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

Gabuya said the entire skate park facility would cost P18 million.

While waiting for the permits to be approved, the area is loaded with filling materials to elevate the bowl course of the facility.

The city government decided to provide a training venue for skateboarders following Margielyn Didal’s feat in the Asian games.

In the meantime, skateboarders are temporarily using the Cebu City Sports Institute (CCSI) situated in Barangay Sawang Calero which was made available for them by the city government.  — MBG (FREEMAN)