Labangon chief dared to clear out the creeks

CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama challenged Labangon Barangay Captain Victor Buendia to go ahead and destroy the illegal structures obstructing the waterways in his territorial jurisdiction rather than wait for the City Hall demolition team to do it.

Rama issued the statement after Buendia sent him a letter asking for the deployment of City Hall’s demolition personnel to demolish the illegal structures already encroaching Lungon Creek in Labangon.

Buendia said there are structures owned by Carmencita Alon and Eutequia Menguito in Sitio Labsalex and parts of the structures are already in the creek usually obstructing the flow of water.

The barangay captain said the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources already issued notices that some sitios in Labangon are prone to flooding and one of the factors that water will overflow is the obstruction of the creek.

Buendia said the mayor should immediately act on the problem without waiting for an incident to happen.

“Ngano man dili sila makahimo?  Naa man kana sa balaod nga ang barangay dunay katungod pagsumpo sa mga illegal construction diha sa masig nila ka barangay,” Rama said.

Buendia is a supporter of Rama’s political opponent, Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña.  (FREEMAN)