CEBU – Officials of more barangays in Cebu City have already signified their intention to join the 12th coastal and urban cleanup in their respective areas on September 27, Saturday.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama said that 50 urban barangays are set to clean up simultaneously their own surroundings while mobilizing other organized groups, including the students and other volunteers.
It is expected that tons of garbage will be gathered by the volunteers, particularly from the beaches and creeks as what were experienced during the past cleanup drives. Rama also chairs the Coastal Management Board.
Although Rama did not name these barangays which manifested interest in the forthcoming cleanup drive, he said that almost all of the urban barangays will be joining the activity and that they are expected to attend the final briefing and press conference on September 26.
Meanwhile, the River Management Council has strongly recommended for the strict implementation of the law that prohibits the use of the three-meter easements from the riverbanks.
It was observed that the riverbanks or the three-meter easements of the creeks are already occupied by houses. Some of these dwellings are obstructing the flow of water, particularly at the Mahiga Creek in barangay Mabolo.
The other creek that is now fully occupied by illegal settlers is located in barangay Carreta. This makes it difficult for government workers to clear the area with garbage, resulting to flooding during heavy rains.
The CMB has repeatedly announced that houses illegally constructed at the riverbanks of the entrance of the so-called Guadalupe River in barangay Ermita and Suba would be destroyed.
But until now the illegal structures have remained in the area. — Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)