Gwen to make Larsian ‘eco-friendly’

Changes are ahead for barbecue vendors in Larsian near Fuente Osmeña, where the site will be made more eco-friendly and attractive for visitors.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she wants the area to be known as a healthy, environmentally-sound place to eat in the city.

The first step is to change the name from New Larsian to Eco-Larsian, she said.

Larsian, a cluster of  barbecue stalls near the Fuente Osmena rotunda, is a popular  local hangout  known for its affordable grilled meat and fish dishes served with puso or hanging rice.

It used to occupy a prime spot  across the landmark Fuente Osmeña fountain until it was moved to a Capitol-owned lot beside Chong Hua Hospital.

Garcia said she wants Eco-Larsian vendors to use smokeless charcoal made in Tabogon town.

“It’s really more healthy and safer to use… eco-friendly and customer friendly,” said Garcia about the charcoal made by the Tabogon Ecological Management Association, Inc.

Last Friday, Garcia met with Mac Azarcon, president of the Larsian stall owner’s association, and Astrohel Ybanez, president of the Tabogon Ecological Management Association, Inc., for a  new charcoal use agreement.

Charcoal briquettes from Tabogon are made of forest twigs and carbonized coconut shells. They can grill faster and longer compared to ordinary charcoal.

Garcia  said she will meet  later  with Larsian vendors to discuss changes she plans to introduce.

She said stall owners can’t openly display raw and half cooked food and stall attendants have to wear uniforms and hair nets so they look neat and presentable to customers.

Garcia said she would also introduce standardization in food portions of  chicken and pork to be sold there.

She said she would also  like a single grill area for  Larsian vendors.

She said the new Larsian would  also  be occupied by 52 stalls with 32 stalls for barbecue vendors, and the others for fruits and souvenir items. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus