EDITORIAL - Rehabilitating Larsian

Beginning next month or July, Cebuanos and tourists will not be able to patronize the famous Larsian for at least two months as it will undergo a major facelift. The rehabilitation works have already been awarded to a Mandaue City-based contractor for P2 million.

Drainage improvement and construction of a bigger parking area will comprise the bulk of the rehabilitation. The Larsian management hopes that once finished, the rehabilitated barbecue food strip near Fuente Osmeña will draw more costumers.

The rehabilitation will address the strip's0 sanitation problem. As the unhygienic practices of some tenants has long been a customer concern, the management will also have stall owners, tenants, and their workers undergo a series of seminars and trainings on sanitation, food handling, and customer service.

Good thing Larsian's rehabilitation is now pushing through as more customers are expected to troop to the barbecue strip once it displays a new look. This only means more revenue for its tenants and the Cebu provincial government, which owns and manages the place. 

For decades, Cebuanos going to the uptown area have enjoyed the night savoring different barbecue recipes at Larsian. Since its inception, the strip has become a favorite venue for those staying late at night following the day's work.

As Larsian slowly mutates into becoming a part of the Cebuano life, it also exhibits an appeal that draws not only more Cebuanos but more outsiders as well. Today, local and foreign tourists comprise a large portion of the strip's nightly customers.

However, as Larsian continues to attract more customers, complaints about unsanitary and food price manipulation practices and lousy service by some stall owners, among others, are also starting to emerge. 

The Capitol is now laying the grounds for Larsian's rehabilitation to bring back the barbecue strip's old glory. But any rehabilitation effort is doomed to fail if tenants and stall owners are still allowed to practice their old habits.