ShareThisCEBU CITY – The Cebu provincial government has promised to participate in the remodeling of Larsian, the famous barbecue strip near the Fuente Osmena, to turn it into a future tourist destination.
Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia said the Capitol will come up with a comprehensive study to improve the drainage system and the structural design and layout of the stalls at Larsian.
She said they also plan to add more restrooms in the place.
”So much part of the Cebuano scene, we will upgrade in order for Larsian to become a truly attractive and cherished destination for all-Cebuanos and visitors alike,” she said.
Larsian refers to a place where several vendors serve barbecue and other grill specialties under one roof.
Garcia said she wants to put up shops at the far end of the establishment where Cebuano products will be sold, in line with the Capitol’s Obra Negosyo.
Obra Negosyo is Capitol’s way of bridging the universities and the cottage industries by having graduate students adopt a local product, which they will improve, promote and market.
Some of the products include salted fish labeled pate de Pilar; tree snails or takyong; budbod; and pickled vegetables.
”We all have fond memories of Larsian, including the aso (smoke),” the governor said, referring to the distinct smell that sticks to a Larsian customer’s clothes.
She said the project’s timetable and the new stall rates will depend on the comprehensive plan , which will be presented next week.
Under the current system, customers can choose from the many stalls that sell similar fare. They then point at half-cooked or raw food, which the stall owner grills.
In the new setup, the provincial government will manage the sugbaanan (grill) at the center of Larsian for all the stalls to use, the governor said. And only local charcoal briquettes will be used.
Mary Anne Alcordo-Solomon, whose group has been promoting a solar-powered light bulb that is being showcased in Larsian, recently went to see Garcia.
She was accompanied by officials from the Coca Cola Bottlers Inc. and officers of the Larsian Stallholders’ Association.
Coca Cola provided the stalls, chairs, tables and refrigerators at Larsian on condition the stallholders only serve Coca Cola products.