CREMDEC chief defends P9 million biofence project

CEBU, Philippines — Proponents of the P9 million construction of a biofence at the Cebu Resource Management and Development Center (CREMDEC) in Barangay Taptap defended the initiative as a necessary measure to protect the area after hitting a snag before reaching the approval stage.

In an executive session last Wednesday, CREMDEC officer-in-charge Alan Bautista said the biofence is essential to enclosing and securing the 9.2-hectare site considering that the area is a timberland.

“Why is it necessary to have a biofence? Because we are inside a protected area in Cebu,” Bautista stated.

He further elaborated that the perimeter fence would span 1,418 meters and consist of concrete posts with interlinked wire, covered with shrubs and vines. The structure, he added, would also be painted and incorporate trees as part of the natural enclosure.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, Chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, clarified that the Program of Works and Estimates (POWE) only covers the construction of the concrete fence and interlinked wires. The inclusion of trees, he said, would be an initiative undertaken by CREMDEC officials.

Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros underscored the need for the executive session to clarify project details, noting that the initiative is also seeking an exemption certification from the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) due to restrictions on government spending during the election season.

During the session, Bautista raised concerns about encroachments in the area, including the presence of stray animals and instances of tree-cutting, which further justified the need for the biofence.

Architect Eliazar Lipang from the Office of the City Architect explained the concept of a biofence, describing it as a natural method of using living plants to create barriers and boundaries. However, he emphasized that sturdier fencing measures were necessary to prevent encroachments at CREMDEC.

“Ang biofence pwede na siya mix of steel concrete and mga plants,” Lipang said.

Councilor Francis Esparis pointed out that the definition and justification of the biofence were not adequately presented during the initial approval process, prompting the need for an executive session.

Lipang further clarified that the project also aims to combat illegal tree cutting, with the interlinked wire structure providing additional security while supporting plant growth. However, he admitted that the live plants and vines were not initially included in the POWE, adding that the City Agricultural Department (CAS) would be tapped to incorporate them.

As discussions continued, Engineer Maria Lilibeth del Mar from the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) presented the cost breakdown from the POWE, revealing that each meter of the 1,193-meter fence would cost P7,618.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera found the cost excessive, drawing from her personal experience.

“Ang presyo ninyo nga 7,000, that’s too expensive. Kuan ra siya, interlink, ang solid lang mga 20%,” Pesquera remarked.

Despite the concerns, Hontiveros assured that the project would undergo further deliberation before the council for approval. (CEBU NEWS)