Jonas to address illegal structures at Mahiga

CEBU, Philippines – Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes has assured to help solve the problem about the illegal construction of dwellings along the Mahiga Creek situated within the boundary of Mandaue City and Cebu City.

Mahiga Creek which runs parallel to the boundary of barangays Mabolo, Cebu City and Subangdaku, Mandaue City used to be a wide waterway, but it slowly became nar-rower after government officials failed to stop the construction of houses, structures that spill into the middle of the creek.

When the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) constructed the 50-meter length bridge linking the North Reclamation Area of Cebu City to the Mandaue City side several years ago, the creek was still very wide.

But since Mandaue City officials failed to stop the illegal construction of houses in the area, the informal settlers took the liberty of invading the creek itself.

Cortes said the Mandaue City government has a relocation program for the urban poor families.

"Apil sa makabinipisyo ani nga programa sa Mandaue mao kadtong mga pamilya nga anaa nagpuyo diha sa Mahiga Creek. Dili ko gusto nga kining maong mga balay mag-pabilin diha," Cortes said.

The informal settlers have constructed ripraps along the creek to protect their houses that already reaches to the middle portion of the waterway.

For those illegal structures that were constructed within the Cebu City side, then mayor Tomas R. Osmeña had already ordered the demolition these houses last February, but later he recalled the order.

The illegal structures also impede the normal and natural flow of water in the creek, thereby becoming one of the main causes of flooding. (FREEMAN)