DPWH, COA to cooperate with city

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Commission on Audit (COA), two national government agencies that are in violation of the three-meter easement for urban waterways, are finally heeding the Cebu City government’s call to correct the situation.

Both DPWH and COA had been sent with notices by the City’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha since last year, but it was only after the final notice that, finally, representatives of both government offices had a sit-down meeting with the Task Force the other day.

The meeting with the Estero de Parian River Commander Aderson Comar was held at the COA office, with no less than Regional Director Visitacion Q. Mendoza and DPWH Service Chief for Technical Services Marilyn Barbadillo, among others, in attendance.

Comar, in an interview, said the meeting went well after officials of both offices were briefed on the purpose of the recovery of the three-meter easement, based on the Water Code of the Philippines.

He also told them that the city’s aim of making Estero de Parian a “Venice-like” area with a boardwalk that could be used for jogging and walking while addressing flooding at the downtown and other areas.

“They are amenable to it especially after we assured nga bisan kinsa pay ma-mayor, padayon lang gihapon ning among gibuhat kay kanang three-meter easement, naa man gyud nas balaod,” Comar said.

He said that with this, DPWH and COA expressed their willingness to cooperate with the City.

“Willing sila mu-cooperate sa project sa city…They will write to the mayor they are willing,” Comar said.

Both COA and DPWH, however, just asked the said Task Force to wait for their power supply’s main lines to be transferred before the illegal structures that have been built with the Ester de Parian three-meter easement will be cleared.

“Pag ma-clear na na..mo-enter na mi,” said Comar.

Meanwhile, he revealed that the Task Force is also set to meet with Gaisano Main’s owner this Friday and that of the old Eddie’s Log Cabin that is also located behind COA.

Both structure owners have also signified their willingness to cooperate with the City Government.

Comar said that just like that other establishments tagged earlier, they are looking for a win-win solution. — /RHM (FREEMAN)