Lapu-Lapu SP shelves plan to transform

Beach Into Park

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City Government will not allocate a budget for the creation of a park in Kumpang beach in barangay Looc Park until some issues have been resolved.

The city council has deferred further discussion of a proposed resolution which seeks financial assistance from Mayor Arturo Radaza for the construction of a park in the barangay.

The council, which is headed by Vice Mayor and presiding officer Mario Amores, cannot make a decision until it has discussed the proposal with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Office of the President, and the owner of the property.

Looc barangay councilor Roberto Dungog sponsored a resolution asking for financial assistance from the city to transform Kumpang beach into park.

One of the programs of the city government is to create a tourist destination in every barangay in the city,” Dungog said.

But city Councilor Rodolfo Potot argued that the city government cannot give financial assistance for such an endeavor because the property is owned by a private company.

City councilor Florito Pozon said the authority or permission from the owner should first be secured before the city government can extend financial assistance.

Pozon, chairman of the committee on laws, stressed that the barangay resolution does not indicate how much is needed for the construction of the park.

The barangay resolution does not include the program of work and the projects to be undertaken by the barangay in relation to the plan to create a park.

“How much is needed to finance the project? They cannot just allow the mayor to set aside funds without specifically naming the project or just even stating the amount needed and the cost of the project,” Pozon said.

Furthermore, Amores said the city should not act in haste since it needs permission from DENR because “we are dealing with foreshore areas.”

“This is going to be a complicated project. I think the barangay should have a very solid plan before it approaches us for financial assistance,” Amores said, adding that the barangay needs an endorsement.

City Councilor Efren Herrera cited an incident when Punta Engano constructed a multi-purpose building, which, as it happened, was owned by a private person. 

“The city lost that case and the multi-purpose building constructed was demolished,” Herrera said.

Herrera, however, said that if Looc wanted to declare Kumpang beach as a park, it must secure an approval from the Office of the President just like what happened in Punta Engano Park, which is about to be declared a public beach and a park.

“The best place to go is the DENR because the DENR knows how to acquire that area or the lot before the beach,” Herrera said.

AMORES SAID THE BARANGAY SHOULD FIRST NEGOTIATE WITH THE OWNER. – (FREEMAN NEWS)