6 businesses encroaching V. Rama Avenue face charges

CEBU, Philippines - Six businesses along V. Rama Avenue, Cebu City, are facing a criminal complaint before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly encroaching along the national road.

Mariano Po, chief of the Maintenance Section of the Department of Public Works and Highways Cebu City District Engineering Office, filed a complaint for violation of Section 23 of Residential Decree No. 17, otherwise known as the Revised Philippine Highways Act, yesterday.

Respondents were JCC Car Wash, represented by Cesar Pelarca; Car Wash and Computer Machines, represented by Jaime Pahulas; M and J Bikers, represented by Harmin Hadjigaffor; a vulcanizing shop, represented by Adelino Patigdas; a carwash represented by Jaime Cabiles, Jr.; and Evencia Carwash, represented Evencia Saavedra.

On September 10, engineers of DPWH conducted inspection along V. Rama and found that those establishments were still operating.

Po said as a chief of the maintenance section he is tasked to maintain the condition of the national roads and highways.

“In one of my routine maintenance inspections, I found that several business shops….along V. Rama Avenue, Barangay Calamba, Cebu City, have encroached with the said road which is among the national roads being maintained by the DPWH,” the sworn statement read.

The respondents were asked to answer the allegations against them. —(FREEMAN)