Kawasan demolitions due to finish today

CEBU, Philippines - The clearing operations carried out by the Capitol in Kawasan Falls in Badian town are set to be finished today.

Provincial Engineer Adolfo Quiroga yesterday said he will visit the area tomorrow to check the status of the clearing operations.

Quiroga clarified that it was not the Capitol who ordered the closure of Kawasan Falls while the demolition of illegal structures was being carried out but the Department of Tourism.

The result of his inspection will be the basis for the Capitol to recommend to DOT the reopening of the area to tourists.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia was angered when she found out that illegal structures were still there two years after the owners were told to demolish their structures, prompting her to order the temporary closure last Apr. 17.

There was brief tension during her visit when Garcia argued with one of the affected operators of cottages and kiosks in the area.

A certain Willy Saldua insisted that his and others’ structures should not be demolished without a court order.

Saldua built a kiosk at the river with concrete floor and bamboo walls. Like the other 44 illegal structures due for demolition, he has no business permit from the municipal government.

It took more than a week for the Capitol personnel to demolish because it was done manually and heavy equipments could not be brought to the site.

The provincial government had asked the operators to demolish their structures built within the 20-meter easement zone two years ago. —(FREEMAN)