Tuburan mayor: Stop reclamation project

CEBU, Philippines - Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante ordered to demolish structures on a reclamation project in Barangay Daanlungsod after Capitol and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declared the development illegal.

Last Thursday, Diamante sent a demolition team to the property of former Tabuelan mayor Raul Gerona after he issued a demolition order last April 3.

Incidentally, Gerona is the brother of former Tuburan mayor Rosemarie Suezo, Diamante’s opponent during the last election. The Geronas are allies of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

But Suezo said what Diamante did only showed his “insecurity”. Gerona is reportedly running against Diamante in the next election.

“After I lost, never that I go with other big politicians here, I never issue statements against him, I’m just attending my farm,” Suezo said.

Gerona, on the other hand, refused to make any comment.

In a letter dated November 9, 2011, Toledo City Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer Fedencio Carreon informed Gerona that his coastal development has encroached the 20 meters easement owned by the government.

DENR reportedly advised Gerona to process his Special Agreement in Protected Areas (SAFA) for legal claims but not to the extent of sacrificing the public.

With the findings of DENR, Diamante immediately ordered to demolish the illegal structures.

Diamante sought the opinion of the Provincial Legal Office as well as advice and recommendations on the reclamation and fencing of foreshore area and other construction of structures thereat without any permit.

Provincial Legal Officer Marino Martinquilla said that in the absence of construction and fencing permits from the local government of Tuburan, the said activities are deemed illegal.

Martinquilla also pointed out that the jurisdiction and authority to issue permits for reclamation in the province is vested upon the Cebu Provincial Reclamation Authority.

Last January 2, 2012, Diamante ordered Gerona to remove the structures placed in the foreshore area but the latter failed to do so.

The same order was reiterated in a letter dated April 3, 2012 for Gerona to voluntarily demolish all improvements within three days but Gerona again reportedly failed.

This prompted Diamante to use police power to demolish all improvements within the 20- meter easement zone and to file appropriate criminal and civil cases against Gerona. — (FREEMAN)