Barangay captain questions "titling" of former sea floor

CEBU - Mambaling barangay captain Rudy Estela has questioned how businessman Vincent Go was able to secure a title for an area in Mambaling that used to be covered by sea.

The issue surfaced in yesterday’s session of the City Council during which Mambaling’s dengue situation was being discussed.

The area Estela referred to in sitio Manggahan is now being occupied by 30 families that experience knee-deep waters every time there is heavy rain, which, when becomes stagnant for quite sometime, provides a potential breeding ground for dengue-carrying mosquitoes.

The place is located just beside the Mambaling access road going to the South Road Properties and is adjacent to the University of Cebu-Mambaling campus.

 “Ambot nganong natitulohan man na nga dagat man unta na,” Estela said, adding, that the area was used to be covered by sea when he was still a child. 

Vice Mayor Michael Rama said Estela’s query is valid and subsequently asked Councilor Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa to inquire from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on the validity or propriety of the title.

“Nindot ni nga isyu kun tinuod man ang sulti ni Kapitan Estela nga si Vincent Go dunay titulo nga nagmatuod nga siya ang tag-iya sa yuta,” the vice mayor said.

The barangay officials blamed the flooding problem in that place on the sea wall and access road built on Go’s claimed property.

The problem started after a sea wall was constructed without a drainage system, which made it impossible for the rainwater that comes from the adjacent properties to flow out to the sea. — Rene U. Borromeo/JMO (THE FREEMAN)