Cebu Muslims to bring case to DPWH

The Muslim community in Cebu will be filing complaints against a private developer that allegedly damaged their mosque in Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City because of its mall project nearby.

Director Melo Manonggiring, regional director of the National Commission on Muslim Philippines in Central Visayas, said they would also ask the Department of Public Works and Highways in Central Visayas to assess the damage sustained by the Al Khaitiah Mosque.

Paravisible Construction Co. is constructing a mall next to the mosque.

Manonggiring said they would ask the developer to construct a new mosque if DPWH-7 finds it necessary.

Imam Alladin Ubpon said after the developer built a wall, they removed the concrete wall of the mosque.

Ubpon added the heavy rains softened the soil beneath the mosque. Since there was no wall, the soil collapsed, causing cracks in their administrative building and comfort rooms.

Noise from the construction site also disturbs their brothers and sisters praying in the mosque.

A representative of the construction firm said they could repair the cracks but they cannot build a new mosque.

Engineers of the Paravisible Construction and Ubpon are set to meet today at the Office of Building Officials (OBO) in Cebu City to resolve the matter.

“We want to resolve this peacefully and we want to maintain our good relationship,” Ubpon said. Candeze R. Mongaya, Reporter