Councilor Guardo won’t recommend rebuilding

CEBU, Philippines — Families who lost their homes in a dawn fire in Sitio Badjaowan-Naba, Alaska Mambaling yesterday, March 2, 2025, may not be allowed to rebuild their homes in the same location as the area will soon be cleared to make way for the Mambaling Bypass Road.

Cebu City infrastructure overseer, City Councilor Jerry Guardo said this will be his recommendation, although he clarified that clearing the location has already been the plan for quite some time.

“Kana siya diha, maigo gyud na siya sa clearing operations sa DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways),” Guardo said in an interview with The Freeman.

Guardo said that even before the fire happened, residents were already informed about the impending clearing operation and had expressed willingness to cooperate.

“Anha man gyud na mag-agi. They are within the three-meter easement. Naa gyud na sila along the area,” he added.

Aside from the area affected by the fire early dawn yesterday, Guardo clarified that the entire Sitio and additional areas are also due for clearing.

“Ma-clear gyud na sila entirely,” he said. The target date for clearing is within this year or in two years time.

Guardo said the project is ongoing, albeit in phases.

It started in Duljo-Fatima and is currently in the process of constructing a bridge that will connect Duljo-Fatima to Mambaling.

As part of the project, DPWH intends to maintain the original 70-meter width of the creek in the area.

“Kanang nasunog ron, nasud gyud na siya… From the back road of the SRP hangtud diha sa tabuk kibale, no-building zone gyud na siya diha. From there, bypass road nga 30-meter. Katong mga balay, maigo gyud sila,” Guardo said.

He disclosed that he will meet with agencies involved in the project to discuss the next steps.

“I will have to call an urgent meeting with the other concerned agencies and then inspect the area with Mayor Raymond Garcia and City Planner Arch. Yumi Espina, along with the DPWH, DEPW, and DWUP, to discuss where we can relocate them,” he said.

Guardo also said he plans to suggest to the City’s Planning Office to develop a master plan incorporating future developments along the entire stretch.(CEBU NEWS)