Public toilets in Pasil safe for the moment

CEBU – The Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division momentarily suspended the plan to tear down the illegal structure owned by a barangay official in the seawaters of barangay Pasil pending further negotiations.

Before Mayor Tomas Osmeña went on leave and flew to the Unites States three weeks ago, he had issued a written order addressed to SPEED chief Vicente Mercado directing him to demolish the “public toilets” owned by barangay councilman Leon Dakay on October 20 after giving the structure’s owner a 15-day moratorium.

When asked for the reason why his office failed to implement the demolition order, Mercado told The FREEMAN that acting mayor Michael Rama prevented him from pursuing the demolition as he still has to conduct another dialog with Dakay.

“Wala g’yod ta’y mahimo kay gipugngan man ta. Duna man kuno’y laing sabot-sabot,” Mercado said.

Rama, who also heads the Coastal Management Board, has repeatedly assured that the city will do its best to clean and clear the coasts and waterways of illegal structures not only to make the city beautiful but also prevent danger on the lives of those who are residing in these areas.

“Kadtong mga baliko, atong tul-iron; ang mga sayop atong korehean, ang mga baho atong pahumuton,” Rama has said.

Rama earlier said that he had already discussed the issue with the Dakay family and has rejected their request to extend the implementation of the demolition.

Dakay earlier asked the city for reconsideration to allow him to continue operating the structure as it is a source of additional income for his family. The structure is being used by Dakay as public toilets where he collects P1 for every use.

“Aw makamugna g’yod hinoon na og kahugaw sa dagat ang maong kasilyas kay ang hugaw diritso man nga mahulog sa tubig,” one of Dakay’s neighbors said. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB (THE FREEMAN)