CH told: Get CPA consent

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) insisted that the Cebu City government should seek prior approval from them before implementing any activity at the contested “Compania Maritima” building, asserting its authority over the edifice by virtue of the Writ of Preliminary Injunction the court had issued in its favor.

“Therefore, any activities to be conducted or implemented within the property should be with prior notice or approval from CPA,” said the CPA, in a statement.

The CPA added that they are not challenging the authority of the Cebu City Government, but they are “only protecting our right within the bounds of the law.”

The CPA also assured that they are doing its best to maintain order and cleanliness within the Maritima Property.

The CPA statement came after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama blew his top upon learning that City Hall personnel deployed to clean the ruins of Compania Maritima were driven away by the security guards assigned by the CPA to secure the disputed area.

The mayor has also warned the CPA not to challenge the authority of the city government.

“Ayaw nila i-challenge ang Cebu City authority because authority na sa syudad. Ang CPA nagtungtong na sa syudad sa Sugbo, dili na laing syudad,” Rama was quoted earlier.

On December 23, 2022, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 10 Judge Soliver Peras granted the petition for a Writ of Preliminary Injunction filed by CPA.

During a cleanup conducted by the city government, cleaners found drug paraphernalia and human wastes at the area. This is not the first time that drug paraphernalia and human waste, aside from garbage, were found in the area by the city government.

This is one of the reasons why the city government wanted to work “hand-in-hand” with the CPA for the preservation of the property which the city considers part of its heritage.

Unfortunately, the tension between the CPA and the Cebu City Government concerning the property has heated up when the former has sent out security guards and started collecting parking fees in the area.

Last week, personnel from the city government came to clean up the area as well as the bay walk area fronting the Maritima ruins, but they were stopped by a guard from the CPA and asked them to ask permission first.

This did not sit well with Rama, who told CPA not to challenge their authority and let them clean up and beautify the area if they cannot do it.

Rama also ordered the Cebu City Police Office to provide security to the City Hall personnel.

Despite the CPA’s statement, the city government, on its part, continued to do what they had started and again found drug paraphernalia over the weekend, said Ramil Ayuman, one of Rama’s special assistants.

“Sa niaging adlaw, ang Waterfront police nakakuha ug ubay ubay empty small sachets ug tinfoil diha sa maong dapit,” Ayuman said.

Aside from that, a total of 100 sacks of garbage plus empty bottles and used clothing were collected during the clean-up drive participated by close to 200 city hall workers including the Local School Board, Burial office, Barangay Affairs Office, Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs, BPAT, DPS, and the city’s disaster office. /GAN (FREEMAN)