Archival backs move to charge higher permit fees for fun runs

Local

CEBU City Mayor Nestor Archival has backed a proposal to increase fees and tighten regulations for road races.

He said the current share received by the city is “unfair” given the resources it deploys for such events.

Archival noted the mismatch between organizers' profits and the city's minimal take, around P10,000 per event, despite bearing heavy logistical burdens.

“I think it’s fair enough because ang atong syudad sa Sugbo ni collect-ta raman og more or less P10,000. And if you’re going to look at it, ang resources nga atong magamit muabot siya og P400,000 to P500,000 akong gisubay,” Archival said.

He added that large-scale races with thousands of participants generate significantly higher revenues for organizers.

“If you’re going to look at it, if naay, for example, 5,000 ka runners. If you're going to charge them P3,000, that would be P15 million. And the city can only get P10,000 of that. And it’s unfair kay kita man nag supply sa traffic, garbage trucks, portable toilets. I think there should be fairness in that,” he said.

This comes amid a proposed ordinance seeking to overhaul Cebu City’s regulation of road races, including marathons and fun runs, which have grown in scale and frequency in recent years.

As previously reported, Councilor Dave Tumulak has filed a measure that aims to replace existing ordinances with a unified framework governing “eco-foot races” and other mass-participation events held on public roads.

The proposal, endorsed on March 18, introduces higher permit fees for organizers, ranging from P20,000 for races up to 10 kilometers to as much as P100,000 for full and ultra-marathons.

Tumulak said the proposed adjustments reflect the “substantial administrative and logistical costs” borne by the city, including traffic management, public safety deployment, and environmental monitoring.

The ordinance also seeks to impose stricter requirements on organizers, including securing clearances from relevant city offices, submitting detailed traffic management plans, and deploying sufficient medical and safety personnel along race routes.

Organizers would be required to provide at least three ambulances, communication equipment, and trained marshals to ensure participant safety and minimize disruption to motorists.

The measure also strengthens environmental safeguards by banning single-use plastics during events, requiring refill stations, and promoting reusable containers.

To ensure compliance, organizers must post a performance bond equivalent to 50 percent of the permit fee, refundable only after submitting a post-event report and passing evaluation by city authorities.

Standardized cut-off times for races and route requirements, such as the use of roads with at least four lanes, are also included in the proposal.

In addition, organizers must reserve at least 10 free slots for grassroots athletes in every event.

Violations may result in fines, imprisonment, or permit revocation for repeat offenses.

The proposed ordinance seeks to strike a balance between promoting sports tourism and community engagement, and ensuring that public resources, road safety, and environmental standards are not compromised.

The measure is expected to be taken up by the Cebu City Council in the coming sessions.(TGP)