Mahiga Creek problem
CEBU City Mayor Michael Rama may face charges for violation of the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA) if he pushes through with the demolition of houses on Mandaue’s side of the Mahiga Creek.
Federation of Visayan Housing Action Group Inc. president Leopoldo “Nonoy” Chavez said in a press conference yesterday that Rama doesn’t have jurisdiction over Mandaue City and should coordinate with Mayor Jonas Cortez before implementing the demolition.
The affected Mahiga Creek informal settlers are waiting to be transferred to the 6.5-hectare relocation site in barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City.
However, informal settlers in other danger zones are given priority and the Mahiga Creek settlers have to wait a little longer.
Arch. Florentino Nimor of the Mandaue City Planning and Development revealed there will be about 200 families to be relocated by the end of this year while the remaining 1,000 families will be moved to their new homes in the first quarter of next year.
Nimor explained there was a delay in subdividing the lots of the relocation sites as well as in getting power and water connection and securing sanitary permits.
“(But) we have been doing our best to remove the informal settlers in the danger zones of Mandaue particularly those along the Mahiga Creek as we are very much concerned with addressing the city’s recent flooding,” Nimor said.
There are about 2,000 families living along the creek but the relocation site isn’t big enough to accommodate all of them.
“We have told some urban poor associations to find a relocation site of their choice, provided the lot should not exceed P3,000 per square meter or we can provide them financial assistance and find their own settlement,” Nimor further said. Correspondent Norman V. Mendoza
Sanchez honored
THE late Vice Gov. Gregorio Sanchez will be named Patron of Organic Farming of Cebu by a non-government organization.
Cebu Coalition for Food Security will confer the honor to Sanchez this Friday at the Pagtambayayong office on P. del Rosario Ext.
His eldest daughter Gigi Sanchez-Zaballero will receive a framed photo of him during the award ceremonies.
The coalition’s honorary chairperson and former Cebu City Administrator Bimbo Fernandez told Cebu Daily News that Sanchez deserves this recognition for pioneering organic farming in Cebu.
This is the first time the organization will be giving such an award.
The group recognizes Sanchez’s contributions especially in developing LactoPafi, a health drink in 2002.
His LactoPafi products are exported in several countries and is now run by Gigi.
A memorial hall for Sanchez will also be opened in the Pagtambayayong Office showcasing his photos.
“This will allow people to remember him. Life is not a marathon but a relay,” he told CDN.
The coalition is composed of 15 institutions, one of them is Lactopafi, with at least 50 members. It was organized just late last year. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus
Joavan tiff
JOAVAN Fernandez, adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, figured in yet another controversy.
This time, he allegedly threatened to kill a traffic enforcer who flagged him down for a traffic violation.
City of Talisay Traffic Operation Division Authority Malorenz Monreal, 33, alleged that he was manning the traffic along the highway of barangay Tabunok when he saw a vehicle beating the red light.
He flagged it down and when the driver alighted from the car, he immediately knew it was Joavan.
He said Joavan allegedly threatened to kill him and have him fired from his job if he issues a ticket for the violation.
Out of fear, he left and reported the incident to the Talisay City police precinct. But he refused to escort the police who volunteered to go after Joavan. Correspondent Gabriel Bonjoc