Rama wants talks before possible Pasil demolition

CEBU, Philippines – While Mayor Michael Rama said he is ready to demolish the illegal structures constructed within the access road from Tupas St. to the Pasil fish port, he said there should be negotiations first.

Rama said there should be talks before the illegal structures are to be cleared if road widening shall be necessary for the realization of his plan to transfer the fish market from its present location to the shoreline of Pasil.

Since hundreds of houses that have encroached into the road would be affected once the clearing operations will be implemented, Market Authority member Romulo Senining said it needs political will for the officials to do it.

But Rama said this will not a problem citing his accomplishment of clearing houses that were constructed within the three-meter easement from the shorelines of barangays Suba and Pasil where the so-called "Bay Walk" is constructed.

The shorelines of barangays Suba down to Pasil and Sawang Calero was once described as the "longest toilet in the world" because many people without toilets in their homes will just sit and relieve themselves at the shores.

"Karon ang maong dapit nindot na kaayo ang maong baybayon nga makalakaw-lakaw ka na sa daplin sa dagat nga dunay suga. Dili g'yud na problema," Rama said.

The mayor is planning to destroy the existing Pasil Fish Market along Tupas St. in front of the San Nicolas church and convert the place into a public plaza.

Rama said the Pasil Fish Port building located at the shorelines of the barangay shall be rehabilitated and be made into a fish market, but Senining said that Rama should first demolish the structures that are encroaching into the road going to the shoreline.

Senining said the city should first restore the six-meter-wide road, particularly the ones that are situated beside the existing Pasil Fish market to the place where the fish port building is situated. (FREEMAN)