Part of MLQ Highway to be closed for motorcycle event

CEBU, Philippines - Motorists and the riding public are advised to take alternate routes on December 11 as one of the two lanes in Manuel L. Quezon Highway in Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City will be closed for a day to give way for a motorcycle racing competition.

Mario Napule, officer-in-charge of Lapu Lapu City's Traffic Management System, said one lane will be closed from 1 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Napule said the race track for the motorcycles will occupy the right lane of the highway, intended for vehicles heading to the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge.

The other lane bound for Marcelo Fernan Bridge, Mactan Airport and Mactan Shrine will be open for motorists on a two-way traffic.

"We will be applying two-way traffic in the area," Napule said.

Bryan Mallare, chairman of Mallari Racing Development which is organizing the motorcycle racing competition, said the event is co-presented and coordinated with the Lapu-Lapu City government.

Mallare said the event is a drag-race competition with six categories and 60 participants.

Apart from the motorcycle drag race competition, there will also be a Suzuki Cup motorcycle race on December 17 and a Philippine Motorcycle Time Attack Championship Round on December 18, which will take place at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall grounds.

Mallare said they partnered with Lapu-Lapu City since it is known to be a venue for sports events, aside from being dubbed as a "Historic Resort City."

"To boost Lapu-Lapu City's bid as a sports-tourism capital of the country, as well make the city a motorcycle racing capital of the country in particular," said Mallare.

The city has been active in hosting sports competition, such as the Cobra Ironman triathlon for five years and the international Robotics Cup competition that started this year.

Joe Montalvan, one of the organizers of the event and a motorcycle enthusiast, said the activity showcases discipline among the riders.

"Racing and motorsports is one way to instill discipline. They can take it out in the race track," he said. (FREEMAN)