Easement violators under close watch

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Government is now closely looking into easement violators that have reportedly refused to cooperate with the city’s effort to clear the waterways as part of the initiatives to address flooding.

Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said he received information that two establishments have resisted the city government’s call for them to clear portions of their structures that violated the three-meter easement.

Garcia said he is still waiting for the formal report before taking decisive action against the said establishments.

"But of course we have to follow the law diba and our easement. Once it reaches my office we will have to act on it and tan-awon sa nako kung sakto ba or dili and if ever, kinahanglan na gyud, upon recommendation, we will give them due process," said Garcia.

For the past few days, heavy downpours have been experienced around the areas of Metro Cebu. In Cebu City, Garcia said they have weekly meetings with the Task Force Gubat sa Baha.

Today (Tuesday), he added, they are set to test a piece of new machinery that could suction silts from the riverbeds.

"Kung it will not work then we will have to find another kay kahibaw bitaw mo na one of the problems that we have encountered is that maglisod tag kanaog og backhoe sa atong sapa because it is so difficult for us kay wa man gud nato na follow atong easement," said Garcia.

According to him, the city would not have difficulty cleaning the rivers had the easement rules been followed. Garcia noted that this technology could suction wastes from the riverbeds to ensure water from the upland areas to flow freely.

Garcia said the technology is a Cebuano invention that they hope to work.

"Testing pa gyud ni. (If it works) either we can buy it or we can avail their services," said Garcia. — (FREEMAN)