Owners ordered to clear structures on sidewalk

CEBU, Philippines —  Structure owners at Cebu City’s Pier 3 and nearby areas are given at least seven days to clear their structures that have encroached the sidewalk.

Raquel Arce, head of the Prevention, Restoration, Order Beautification, Enhancement (PROBE) team, said the city government will first give them the chance to comply with the order of Mayor Michael Rama.

“Tagaan nato sila’g higayon nga mo-clear og mo-restore sa sidewalk.  Notice, seven days,” Arce said, as reported by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO).

“Actually, bag-o ni nga structures. Kung nakahinumdom ka, gi-clear na ni namo sa una. Pero pagsunog, imbis mo-restore sila sa ilang balay, nibalik sila. Na-restore na ni namo (ang sidewalk) panahon ni Mayor Mike sa una,” she said.

Rama ordered for the removal of all structures obstructing the sidewalk from Barangays San Roque to Tinago going to Tejero.

This, after he observed during a walkthrough that the path intended for pedestrians have been occupied by structures.

“Sidewalk man ni. Kita ka ana, additional man na. We have to bring back the sidewalk,” Rama said.

With him are heads and members of some City Hall offices such as the PROBE Team, Cebu Environmental Sanitation and Enforcement Team (CESET), Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), and Parks and Playground Commission, among others.

Rama instructed lawyer Collin Rosell, his executive secretary, to send a notice immediately to owners of stores and other structures that are encroaching the sidewalk.

He said though that he understands that the vendors are only doing that for livelihood, but stressed that his goal is for the betterment of the city and the future of its constituents.

“Ang akoang tumong dili ra gyud ni akoa, para ni atong anak ug sa atong mga anak. Kung dili kita kinsa man? Kung dili karon kanus-a man?” Rama said, assuring them that they will still be able to keep their livelihood.

“Ayaw mo kaguol kay dili man ko mohan-ay nga wagtangon ta mo sa siyudad sa Sugbo. Naa ra gihapon mo sa siyudad sa Sugbo. Ngano man? Basta magkasinabot lang ta, saligi lang inyong mayor.  Kay dili ra man dinhi ang negosyo ba. Inig-abot sa panahon pwerte nang nindota sa siyudad, kinsa mabulahan? kamo,” he said.

During the start of his fresh term as mayor, Rama has been very vocal about his goal in transforming Cebu City into a Singapore-like city.

The mayor strongly believes that an important factor in achieving such is discipline among city residents. JMO (FREEMAN)