AFTER demolishing the shanties, Cebu City Hall will crack the whip on two malls and a fastfood eatery that operate within the three meter easement zone in Mahiga Creek.
The Cebu City Council asked the Office of the Building Official (OBO) to conduct an inventory of all establishments near the creeks and rivers.
OBO chief Josefa Ylanan said Gaisano Main, Dimsum Fastfood and 138 Mall were among those located at the side of the creek.
Ylanan said these buildings were built before the National Building Code of the Philippines took effect.
The code stated that structures should be built outside the three meter easement to prevent flooding.
“On July we will get the names of the structures’ owners with or without permits.. If they will not clean their river ways, the city will have to come in,” she said.
Ylanan said most establishments made the creek into a driveway.
She said Gaisano Main sits within the three meter easement of the creek on the Parian riverway.
Cebu City’s downtown area remains flooded everytime a downpour occurs, the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) said.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said they will dialogue with all establishments once the OBO inventory is complete.
Rama said if the owners fail to heed their reminders, he won’t hesitate to settle the issue in court.
He said moving establishments away from the three meter easement may be done phase by phase.
The DEPW said they plan to dredge the Parian riverway within this year.
They will also de-clog creeks and rivers in barangays Tagunol, Lahing-Lahing, and Lahug.
The council approved P36.2 million worth of projects to help improve the city’s drainage system.
Of the amount, P26.3 million is intended for the dredging of waterways in T. Padilla Creek, Bulacao River and the Tagunol River.
The remaining P9.9 million will pay for construction a riverbank protection at the Inayawan River.
The proposed dredging of the T. Padilla Creek estimated at P7.8 million will start at the trunk of the Tejero Creek and continue towards a portion of the creek located in barangay T. Padilla and Imus Road.
The Bulacao River dredging estimated to cost P13.1 million will start at the coastline area to F. Jaca Street bridge to Lorega San Miguel.
The dredging of the Tagunol River will start at the coastline area to the Tagunol bridge then towards a portion of the river in Basak Pardo. Correspondent Fatrick Tabada and Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac