Tinago sports complex won't be built over creek

CEBU, Philippines - The proposed Tinago sports complex will not be built above a creek.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña is strongly against the planned construction of the Tinago sports complex above a creek in barangay Tejero because it would be very expensive.

Although he is not an engineer, the mayor said if the sports complex will be constructed above the creek it needs huge foundations to prevent it from collapsing.

The Cebu City government had already issued a P4.4-million check for barangay Tinago that will be used to build its own sports complex, but the check cannot be deposited yet to its barangay account because majority of the members of the barangay council oppose giving the barangay captain the authority to do so.

Five of the seven councilmen of barangay Tinago, including councilman Joel Garganera, are allied with the opposition Kugi Uswag Sugbo, while barangay captain Domingo Lopez and another barangay councilman are allied with the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan.

Osmeña said he wants barangay officials to just look for another lot within their territorial jurisdiction where the sports complex can be constructed and the city would be willing to buy it for them.

Garganera explained that the reason why he and his allied opposition councilmen did not quickly give their nod to deposit the city-donated amount is because they just want to know first the place where the gym is to be constructed.

According to Garganera, who used to be the barangay captain of Tinago, it will be awkward for them to construct the gym above the creek because the city is even mandated to clean up all illegal structures that prevent the smooth flow of water in creeks.

“Kadaku nga kataw-anan na hinoon,” said Garganera.

Barangay Tinago is one of the only two barangays in the city’s north district where Osmeña lost to barangay captain Mary Ann delos Santos who ran against him during the 2007 local elections. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (FREEMAN NEWS)