Residents vow to block condo

CEBU, Philippines - A preliminary approval of the variance application has been granted to the developer of a 15-story condominium in Sanson Road in barangay Lahug, Cebu City that is being opposed strongly by the residents.

But residents vowed that the fight does not end there. They intend to file a motion for reconsideration before the Cebu City Zoning Board to oppose the approval of the permit for variance.

The board has yet to ratify the preliminary approval so this means that the permit is not final yet.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete, who is a member of the board, said that the variance permit was initially approved because the area is supposedly a C-1 zone or a Low Intensity Commercial District.

Poblete said there was a lapse in the ordinance because the area was immediately converted to an R-2 or a Medium/High Intensity Residential Area from a C-2 or Medium Intensity Commercial Zone while it is supposed to be converted first to a C-1.

Poblete said that conversion should have been gradual.

The residents oppose the construction of the 15-storey condominium because it poses future problems on noise pollution, health risks, traffic, the doubtful structural integrity of the building and the allocation of resources, among others.

The residents learned that the construction will be done 24 hours a day, which means they could not enjoy a sound sleep in the evenings because they have to suffer from the incessant noise. They believe that more structures in the area will worsen the drainage problem.

The residents also alleged that the construction will worsen the traffic in the area due to the narrow roads.

On the health issues, they fear that the dust and debris can cause them bronchitis, asthma, rhinitis and other pulmonary diseases.  (FREEMAN)