Landslide task force cut down

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has issued an Executive Order (EO) that reduces the number of member agencies in the “Oplan Likay sa Landslide” from 36 to seven, after observing that the task force has been idle since its formation.

The EO for the creation of the task force was issued in 2022 to improve the control and management of landslide incidents and landslide-prone areas.

The task force's responsibility was to oversee the implementation and enforcement of all relevant laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations, including managing mitigation and rehabilitation efforts for landslide incidents.

The task force was initially composed of 36 departments. However, yesterday, Garcia announced that he had signed another EO amending the original order to reduce this number.

The revised EO states that the inclusion of certain agencies in the current composition of the task force has created challenges in its operations. It also noted that while these agencies are valuable to the management of Cebu City, their mandates may not directly align with the primary objectives and operations of the EO.

“Unsaon man pag-quorum sa 30 kabuok? So, I trimmed down the number of members of the special task force,” said Garcia.

With the amendment, Garcia said the task force will now be called the Special Action Force and will consist of the following offices: the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, City Planning and Development Office, Cebu City Mining Regulatory Board, Department of Engineering and Public Works, Office of the Building Official, Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, and the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office.

“I honestly think that they never even met once, because there were 36 of them. How can you meet with all of them?” Garcia told reporters when asked about the composition of the task force.

According to Garcia, the remaining agencies in the task force are those whose functions are directly related to the objectives of the Special Action Force.

Garcia further explained that the amendment of the task force was prompted by a growing number of public requests, particularly from those wanting to construct commercial or residential structures that require an assessment from the task force before they can obtain a permit.

“So, that’s why we need to form this properly so that it can convene and start processing the applications,” Garcia said.

He also clarified that the OBO will not issue a permit to continue construction without approval or exemption from the task force. However, this rule applies only to applications coming from the upland areas.

The mayor will serve as the chairman, but he said he will be represented by Cebu City Administrator Kristine Batucan.

Garcia also emphasized that to avoid delaying development in the mountain barangays of the city, the task force needs to convene and handle the applications.

The EO also notes that the participation of national agencies, such as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will be essential to achieving the primary goals of the executive order.

It is also stipulated that the Special Action Force may request additional members from different agencies and departments through a resolution, subject to the mayor's approval. — (FREEMAN)