City identifies structures encroaching Gorordo Ave.

CEBU, Philippines - At least 15 structures have been identified by the Cebu City government to be encroaching the north-bound sidewalk along Gorordo Avenue which reportedly contributed to traffic congestion in the area and posed risk to pedestrians.

With this, the city government, with the help of the private sector, is planning to remove the illegal structures along the stretch from Mormons Church to JY Square.

The road, with an estimate 14 meters in width, has been identified as the choke point of traffic.

For their short-term plan, Eli Espina, the appointed Kahayag Coordinator, told reporters yesterday that the group hopes to remove the sidewalk structures as soon as possible.

Under public-private partnership initiatives, Kahayag was formed in 2011 through the directive of the city mayor. It will help rehabilitate the sidewalk on Gorordo Avenue, Salinas Drive and the road going to Marco Polo in Barangay Busay.

Espina said Mayor Michael Rama wants to restore the national road by providing a sidewalk to achieve the 20-meter width.

The city is eyeing to hold a dialogue on the plan as it has already the names of the structure owners that will be affected.

For the medium-term objective, Espina said the project would entail the process of expropriation before they can implement the road widening since they will need the budget from the Department of Public Works and Highways-7.

The identified structure owners have reportedly claimed that they own the property where their establishments stand, he further said.

“Before they (structure owners) would setback, magpabayad kuno sila. We already informed them but we have to meet them again and ask them to set back and give what belongs to the road without asking for payment,” said Espina.

A consultative meeting with the structure owners, together with the Lahug barangay officials, is set tentatively for September 4.

The city government already tapped the City Hall’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement regarding the clearing operation and to prepare for the formal notice after the dialogue with the concerned individuals.

Moreover, Espina said they already met with the Mormons community last June who reportedly expressed their support for the city’s development plans.

He said though the local officials of the religious community will have to ask permission first from their central office to present the survey showing that their gate has encroached on the road. — May B. Miasco/ATO (FREEMAN)