News Briefs

CEBU CHURCH REPAIRS

CAPITOL officials will meet with Cebu Archdiocese leaders to plan the retro-fitting of several bell towers of churches in southern Cebu that were damaged by the 6.9-magnitude  earthquake last Feb. 6.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said the province needs to protect these structures as  part of its heritage.

Southern Cebu is known for several  stone churches built during the Spanish era.

Cebu Daily News visited the St. Francis of Assisi church in Dumanjug town.  Some stones fell from the  bell tower facing the St. Francis of Assisi church that was cordoned with barbed wire.

The  church was completed in 1864,  one of the oldest churches in the province.

Materials used in its construction were sea coral stone, limestone and balayong  hardwood that were abundant in the town then.

Other churches in Badian and Boljoon towns and Carcar City also incurred damage after the earthquake. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus

POLICE PRECINCT UNDER A FLYOVER

TWO Talisay City councilors opposed a proposal to set up a police precinct and action center under a flyover in barangay Poblacion.

Talisay City Councilor Romeo Villarante said no structures should be built under the flyover, otherwise it would attract people to loiter there or vehicles to park.  The space  should be clear at all times, he said.

Instead, he said a police sub-station should be placed in the corner of national highway and Rabaya Street to deter crimes.

City Councilor Valerio Ylanan questioned whether the project violated the building code.

Vice Mayor Alan Bucao said the plan for a police precinct and action center was approved by the City Engineering Department.

He said structures are built under flyovers in Manila, Marikina, Makati and Quezon cities.

Councilor Rodolfo Cabigas said there’s already an office under the flyover while a parking area for tricycles and vendors is  found on the other side.

Cabigas said the Talisay city government asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to build both the precinct and action center at no cost to  Talisay City.

The councilor said they sent  their request to Engr. Daisy Toledo, who is also  president of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus