Cebu Ports Authority, City Hall face off in tarp war

Tension rose between a Cebu City Hall team and personnel of the Cebu Ports Authority over the attempted removal of a tarpaulin stating the agency’s ownership of the lots in F. Gonzales St. in barangay Ermita and P. Burgos St.

Raquel Arce, chief of Cebu City Hall’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team said they tried to remove the tarpaulin on orders of Mayor Michael Rama last Thursday.

“We weren’t able to remove it last Thursday because we haven’t informed the CPA yet,” she said.

But Port Police Insp. Antonio Germinada Jr. and his personnel prevented the team from doing so.

“It’s part of the CPA’s property and it’s our duty to protect that (tarpaulin). They don’t have a black and white order from the CPA. We need a written agreement,” he said.

The CPA already fenced off the entrance and exit to the viaduct on F. Gonzales St. in barangay Ermita and the area on P. Burgos St. to the Compaña Maritima building.

The General Services Office said Cebu City owns a portion of the fenced property.

The Senior Citizens Park is on a lot owned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Arce said she informed the secretary of CPA general manager Dennis Villamor about the removal of the tarpaulin.

“They can’t even name who the secretary was. We can’t allow it. Let’s just respect each other,” Germinada said.

Arce’s team pulled out of the area and she assigned someone to negotiate with Villamor on removing the tarpaulin. Rama said he wants the tarpaulin removed.

“I don’t want that fence right now before my sight. I don’t even want a signage as if they are claiming ownership over it,” he said.

The mayor questioned the fencing of the area, saying that the CPA didn’t secure a fencing permit from the Office of the Building Official.

Rama said if need be, he will order city police to remove the fence and tarpaulin from the area.

Germinada said while the area is fenced, the public and the Cebu City government can still hold events there.

“We just need written communication informing our general manager,” he told reporters yesterday. Correspondent Jose Santino Bunachita