CH concerned on illegal structures, another problem from labor row

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government is seeing another problem in the ongoing gap between the management of Cebu Country Club and its’ golf caddies- the illegal structures that have been set up outside the facility.

Last Tuesday, the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beatification, and Enhancement (PROBE) team of the City Hall confiscated cooking items and materials used in makeshift dining areas and makeshift beds outside the Cebu Country Club.

PROBE head Raquel Arce said that the caddies, who have been camping outside the said golf club amid their ongoing rallies, were already blocking the sidewalk so they needed to clear the area from illegal structures.

“Last week giabisohan nato sila na wa ‘mi maglabot sa inyong strike, ayaw lang ninyo alihi ang sidewalk,” she said.

Arce said she gave them one week to voluntarily remove their structures in the area, but her order went unheeded so she was forced to implement the law.

As a matter of fact, Arce said she also sent her personnel back to the place yesterday afternoon after receiving reports from a concerned citizen that the caddies went back at night to cook and sleep in the area.

Arce said that should the protesters continue to violate and go against PROBE, she will refer the matter to the City Attorney’s Office (CAO) and she will order again the confiscation of the illegal structures.

The PROBE head further said that she also forwarded to the CAO the letter from the caddies’ lawyer, demanding her to return the confiscated items.

The letter, which she received last Tuesday, stated that she is given 24 hours to return them.

“Dili nato ibalik kay legitimate man ‘to na operation. We must clear the area, otherwise, it will be negligence in my part,” Arce pointed out.

Arce said that they have exercised diplomacy for a number of times towards the caddies and did not take away their placards or prohibit them from staging the rally against Cebu Country Club. — (FREEMAN)