Six areas in city declared park, open spaces

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government has called for the conservation of the heritage value of the Malacañang sa Sugbo, Compaña Maritima, Senior’s Citizen Park, Magellan’s Park, Plaza Independencia, and Fort San Pedro.

This after the Land Management Council issued a resolution recommending to the Cebu City Local Zoning Board for the declaration of the six areas as parks and open spaces and preserve them as cultural and heritage sites.

“There is an urgent and overwhelming need for the City of Cebu to preserve, maintain and conserve these structures and monuments not only for the promotion of Cebu City’s tourism industry but also to safeguard the same for future generations to enjoy and cherish,” the resolution reads.

 LMC chief and lawyer Jade Ponce said the declaration would be one way to prevent the destruction of the cultural heritage of the city amid an agency’s interest on one of the sites.

“There has been an alarming interest from some sectors including some government agencies that do not see the value of preservation preferring instead to demolish, destroy, convert, and sacrifice the sanctity of our cultural heritage and historical sites all in the altar of crass commercialism,” Ponce, through the resolution, said.

The issuance of the resolution came following the request of the Cebu Ports Authority to the Office of the President to allow them to have jurisdiction over the open space at the back of the Malacañang sa Sugbo.

CPA requested to use the structure’s apron and berthing space to decongest the Cebu International Port.

“Please be informed that the worsening port congestion in CIP has been seriously affecting the business community in Cebu so much so that the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has once again encouraged and joined us to push for the return of the said berthing areas to the authority,” reads CPA’s  letter to Malacañang.

However, Ponce said the area surrounding the Malacañang Sa Sugbo CPA is considering as a berthing place is too small to be of practical use for port operations.

“Considering its small space, where would the CPA place the cranes and gantry necessary for its loading and offloading of cargos? The road networks surrounding the Malacañang Sa Sugbo is very limited and narrow to serve CPA’s intended purpose,” Ponce said.

He added that operating a cargo terminal at the Malacañang sa Sugbo might worsen the traffic congestion around the area.

The LMC chief said CPA could lease an open space at the North Reclamation Area or they may come up with a long term solution, which is to transfer the whole port to another location.  (FREEMAN)