Council defers P9M Biofence proposal for CREMDEC

CEBU, Philippines — The proposed P9 million Biofence project for the Cebu City Resource Management and Development Center (CREMDEC) in Barangay Taptap has been deferred for further deliberation in an executive session after facing multiple questions from the members of the City Council.

During last Wednesday’s regular session, Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the Committee on Infrastructure, sought the council’s approval for the allocation of P9,100,000 to construct a perimeter Biofence around CREMDEC’s nine-hectare property.

However, Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera raised concerns regarding the specifics of the Biofence and the justification for its P9 million cost.

“Unsa may pasabot nimo nga Biofence? Kay maanad baya ta nga bio, biodegradable, basin malanay ra ni,” Pesquera quipped.

Guardo explained that the request for a perimeter fence came from CREMDEC to address issues of animals entering the area from the uplands. He added that the terminology used in the proposal came from the Engineering Department, and he could not elaborate further on their behalf.

“Akong pagsabot, when I asked unsay design ani nila, mura’g ang katunga ani niya, Mr. Chair, made of hollowblocks lang, and then half... open lang sya, siguro mao lang na ilang gamit nga term,” Guardo said.

Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, presiding officer, clarified that the budgetary allocation for the project falls under the Office of the Mayor and is included in the resolution’s request for exemption from the Comelec ban. However, Pesquera emphasized that despite the exemption, the council still has the responsibility to scrutinize the proposal.

She also pointed out that the proposal lacked specific details, such as the total linear meters of the fence, as the attached document only mentioned “one lot.”

Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. echoed the concerns, stating that he wanted clarity on the design of the Biofence and the identity of those behind the project.

Meanwhile, Councilor Franklyn Ong inquired about the definition of a Biofence and noted that, according to references, it typically refers to “a line of trees planted in a farm field,” suggesting that the fence would primarily consist of natural elements.

“Kung tanom, Mr. Chair, nganong gibutang man diri sa Program of Works, painting, worth P200,000? So ang tanom ato, sang pintalan og color green?” Pesquera remarked, questioning the budget allocation.

Given these uncertainties, the council opted to schedule an executive session to discuss the matter in depth. Officials from the Department of Engineering and Public Works, which prepared the Programs of Work and Estimates, as well as representatives from CREMDEC, will be invited to provide further clarification. FPL (CEBU NEWS)