Government offices told: Demolish own illegal structures

(Easement violation) 

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government hopes that government offices and barangays would take charge of taking down illegal structures in their areas, taking a cue from Brgy. Tinago, Cebu City.

Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement(PROBE) chief and Task Force Gubat sa Baha (TF-GsB) Estero de Parian river commander Aderson Comar told The Freeman that Barangay Tinago, one of the three identified government offices that have illegal structures within its proximity, is the first to demolish a structure built along the three-meter easement.

The said structure, according to Comar, had been used as a holding area of individuals going to the barangay hall, as well as a resting place for barangay tanods.

Comar commended Brgy. Captain Boyet Arciaga for leading the clearing operations yesterday.

Along with this, Comar hopes other barangays that will be found with illegal structures within the easement zone will voluntarily demolish the structures built.

“Ako giingnan ang kapitan sa Tinago nga maayo gyud ng ikay mangunay diha kay para ang uban pung mga kapitan musunod,” said Comar

Along with Brgy. Tinago, also identified with some structures built along the three-meter easement are the Commission on Audit and the Department of Public Works and Highways.

COA, according to Comar, had asked for more time to act on the identified illegal structure as they were still waiting for the final say of their officer-in-charge.

“Ni-respond na sila, pero nihangyo sila (COA) tagaan silag lugway na oras…Pero at least nitubag na sila,” Comar said.

Comar also hopes DPWH will also act soon. The scheduled demolition of a five-door apartment also under the Estero de Parian had been postponed for a day.

PROBE will instead do its clearing today after one of the remaining tenants begged for time.

“Nihangyo man gud ang isa ka tenant na ila sang hakuton tanan nilang mga butang so ugma (today) na lang e-dayon ang clearing,” Comar said.

Comar stressed that they will not hesitate to clear any illegal structures within the three-meter easement zones.

For those that have been sent out final notices along the three-meter easement, TF-GsB chief implementer Ret. Major General Mel Feliciano said they will be moved to a temporary shelter at the SRP while the promised MRB for them is not yet available.

Further, at least ten establishments near the Estero de Parian will be served with cease-and-desist order of operations by Cebu City Government through the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) following the 72 hours notice given in line with the clearing of the three-meter easement.

According to Feliciano, this was the result of the distribution of final notice that began last April 22, 2024.The establishment owners were given 72 hours to respond and to voluntarily clear the structures that were within the three-meter easement zones.

"Mao na ni ang resulta sa 72 hours notice, so naa na tay ten nga tagaan sila og cease and desist order," said Feliciano.

Out of the 34 notices that were issued, Feliciano said that two establishments will be issued with clearing orders, five are still getting technical reports from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW), six of them have voluntarily cleared their structures while the rest are still being followed-up.

Feliciano, however, has yet to give the date when these notices will be issued as their coordination meeting is still ongoing.

According to Feliciano, these establishments were those who refused to heed the government's call and the Task Force also did not receive any form of response to their notice.

"Atong i-stop ang operation," said Feliciano.

In a separate interview yesterday, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama reiterated his reminder to establishments found along the stretch of Estero de Parian to follow the notices and voluntarily remove their structures.

"These are all for the young generation. If not now, when? If not us, then who?" Rama told reporters.

Rama said that they will strictly enforce this environmental protection policy, not only in Estero de Parian, but also in other rivers in the city.

He also said that they are treating these efforts with urgency to prepare for the upcoming wet season, which may cause massive flooding in the city.

Previously, it was reported that a temporary housing facility will soon rise at the South Road Properties (SRP) that will house at least 500 families where the initial cost is P220 million.

The said transitional houses are intended for those who will be displaced in the efforts of the Gubat sa Baha, which includes clearing of those who are violating the three-meter easement, especially near the riverbanks. — (FREEMAN)