Roadside clearing in upland area starts

CEBU, Philippines — At least 31 structures that were found obstructing the sidewalks in the upland Barangay Busay, Cebu City have cleared yesterday.

The illegal structures include sari-sari stores and fruit stands that were blocking the passageways.

“Naka-obstruct ni sila sa passageway sa atong kalsada…kung dili ni nato sila kuanon, maghinay-hinay ni sila’g padong sa kalsada na gyud…ang atong sideway di na maagian kay naay mga tinda…maka-obstruct na siya,” said Engr. Edwin Muit of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Muit said they want to ensure that the public is safe while in the sidewalk.

“Kung naa puy magparking diri, ang mga tawo ari na muagi sa kalsada kay tungod di na maagian atong sidewalk,” he added.

The clearing operation was done by the joint personnel of DPWH, PROBE, CCTO, and PNP. There was no resistance from the owners of the structures who were also given advanced notices of the clearing operation.

“Mao ni karon ang atong gihimo sa DPWH nga nagdemolish sa mga obstruction diri sa Busay…daghan kaayong ni-obstruct diri…Apil pud sa among clearing operation completed na among issuance ani…maong for removal na…karon full-force na gyud mi sa removal sa obstruction,” Muit said.

In a report from the City PIO, most of the structure owners were just waiting for the demolition team to save money for manpower to demolish their structure. Aside from Busay, several notices were also served yesterday to the owners of illegal structures in Barangays Lahug and Apas.

Meanwhile, former DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson is pushing for an integrated water resources and coastal management in Cebu City.

Singson, who is now a member of Mayor Michael Rama’s advisory council, said the city should adopt watersheds and river systems all the way to the coastal area.

“You have to manage that if you want a city that is like Singapore,” Singson said.

Singson was also happy to know that business tycoon and Manila Water Chairman Enrique Razon, Jr. had committed to building a dam in the hinterlands of the city.

He stressed that the city and the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) cannot just depend on deep wells, especially considering the fact that there is so much surface water in the city that even causes heavy flooding.

Singson lauded the city’s plan to focus on building more medium-rise buildings for informal settler families (ISFs) that will be displaced in the recovery of the city rivers’ three-meter easements.

He told the city officials to implement a deed of restrictions to land owners in the city just like the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. With this, lot owners cannot just build whatever they want without regard to zoning and development plans. — FPL (FREEMAN)