In barangay Apas: City orders cell sites closed

CEBU, Philippines – The Cebu City government has ordered the cell sites of two telecommunication firms in Sitio Calvary Hills in Barangay Apas closed for posing health risks to residents in the area.

In a January 4 closure order, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, the acting mayor, ordered Digitel Mobile Phi-lippines Inc., owner of Sun Cellular, and Globe Telecom to close their sites.

“You are hereby ordered to close the operation of your cell site immediately upon receipt hereof. This order shall take effect immediately and shall conti-nue indefinitely until such time that this is ordered revoked or lifted up,” the order reads.

He also directed the police and city’s demolition team to enforce the directive “as soon as possible.”

In a press conference yesterday, Labella said his order is based on the recommendation of City Hall’s legal arm and health office including the appeal from the concerned barangay officials and homeowner’s group.

“It (document) only reached my office only yesterday. I [signed] the closure order based on the recommendation of the City Legal Office and Cebu City Health Department. I have to act on it after perusing all the documents attached thereto and the recommendations from the barangay, homeowners and legal office,” he said.

One of the main concerns that prompted Labella to issue the order was the radiation that the sites reportedly emit that pose hazards to the health of the residents there.

“I think the main consideration there is the health hazards it posed to the residents of Sitio Calvary considering that there are number of cancer victims and number of them who already died and there are still many who are sick. That is one of the more important reasons why the barangay and the City Health Department and the City Legal Office recommended for the closure order,” Labella said.

He also took into account the resolution approved by the City Council on May 27, 2015 that supported the revocation of the special permit issued to the two firms.

After hearing the sentiments of the barangay officials and residents, the Council directed the City Treasurer’s Office to revoke the Special Use Permit granted to Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular and requested the companies to move their operations away from the residential area.

“Of course, lipay gyud kaayo mi kay naa nay closure from the acting mayor, unya nadungog gyud ang among concern kay naa man gyud niya ang last say. Salamat gyud kaayo nila,” said Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman.

He admitted that enforcing the order will be difficult technically.

“Depende sa PROBE kay sila maoy nakahibaw when, I’m not sure kanus-a but I’m sure lisod ni siya tangtangon, ang wiring palang daan,” Ayuman added.

Ayuman said Globe Telecom has not renewed their contracts while the Sun Cellular has already sent engineers to help the barangay facilitate the transfer.

“There is an ongoing negotiation, naa nay engineers nga motabang namo for transferring,” he added. — May B. Miasco and Angelica R. Libodlibod, USJ-R Intern/JMO (FREEMAN)