Gubat sa baha campaign: Dad lauds The FREEMAN for its support to city

CEBU, Philippines — “A good example, therefore, deserves to be praised and saluted,” was the message of Cebu City Councilor Rey Gealon to the management of The FREEMAN Newspaper after the company voluntarily destroyed some parts of its building that was included in the three-meter easement.

The FREEMAN has been working on it for the past few days, in compliance with city government regulations.

Gealon said that it shows how cooperative The FREEMAN is to the campaign of the local government for the clearing of those distracting the waterways.

“The FREEMAN is indeed fair and fearless. Fair in the sense that it acknowledges the rule of law in that it applies to all, despite being an institution whose building has been standing there way before the enactment of the Water Code, Building Code, or relevant laws on the matter.  Fearless in the sense that it is without fear (as) it acknowledges the fact that the institution is not with the building but in the hearts of people who work there, most especially us who patronize the paper,” said Gealon.

The legislator hopes that other establishments will follow what The FREEMAN has done.

Some personnel of the Cebu City Hall also assisted The FREEMAN in clearing the area.

The Cebu City Government has already said that the revocation of the three-meter easement in the city's streams and waterways is for the safety of the people and that this is one of the measures to combat the city’s flood problem.

In Mayor Michael Rama’s Executive Order No. 2 about the “Gubat sa Baha” campaign, eight officials in Cebu City have been appointed as commanders of each river in the city.

These commanders are given the authority to hold meetings with barangay officials and their assigned departments, as well as supervise and monitor operations related to river rehabilitation activities.

The commanders include lawyer Gerardo Carillo for Bulacao River; Grace Luardo of the Kinalumsan River, Dr. Ester Concha for Tagunol Creek; Engr. Rolando Ardosa manning the Guadalupe River; Paul Gotiong for the Mahiga River; Engr. Joelito Baclayon would be looking after the Lahug River; Raquel Arce for the Estero Parian; and Arlie Gesta will take charge of the Butuanon River. — (FREEMAN)