20 illegal structures torn down in Suba

After the demolition of 10 eateries alleged to have gone beyond a five-meter easement on the sidewalk along B. Rodriguez Street in barangay Capitol Site, 20 of the 74 illegal structures that have reportedly encroached into the sidewalk in nine sitios of barangay Suba were also torn down yesterday morning.

Elements of the Squatters Prevention and Encroachment Elimination Division and barangay workers of Suba headed by barangay captain Jojo Sable yesterday implemented the demolition order signed by Mayor Tomas Osmeña last October 12.

The demolished structures were located along the sidewalk of Magsaysay, Magsaysay Extension, A. Borres, Sto. Nino, Belgium, Abellana, F. Rallos, Gen. Gines and Concepcion.

"Kinahanglan gyud og political will ni kay dili lang ni para sa mga barangay officials kun di para sad ni sa tanan," Sable said. Sable was the lone barangay official of Suba who escorted the demolition team yesterday morning.

Sable pointed out that he decided to take appropriate action against those who have allegedly encroached into the sidewalk.

"Human sa pag-demolish kun imong tan-awon ang Magsaysay Street pwerteng dako-a na ug hawan. Ug kun mobalik sila og butang og trapal-trapal nga molapas na sa dalan, naa man ta'y mga tanods. Kita na ang mo-embargo ana," Sable said.

"Wa ni siya'y pili. Kadtong nilapas ug nakabalda na sa dalan amo nang apilon sa pagkuha," Gil Vega, SPEED operation chief, said.

To show no biases, the SPEED demolished the concrete portion of the house of Eldie Concha, an inspector of SPEED, after it had encroached into the gutter.

"Wa gyud ko'y problema kay nilapas man gyud ni," Concha said.

However, Danny Cabrera, a resident of Magsaysay, had a heated argument with Sable after the latter ordered to demolish the wall of Cabrera's house that reportedly had encroached into the "footpath and drainage system of neighboring barangays."

"Manghinaot ta mo-cooperate ang among mga silingan kay dili lang ni para sa mga barangay officials kun di para ni sa kaayohan sa tanan. Kun makakita lang mo kun mag-uwan dinhi, grabe gyud ang lunod kay gitabunan na man gyud ang canal," Badin Cabasag, a resident of Magsaysay Street, said.

SPEED along with workers of the barangay will resume demolition of remaining structures in barangay Suba today. - Ramil V. Ayuman