Kawasan Falls still closed

CEBU, Philippines - Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia is not lifting the closure order being implemented in Kawasan Falls because there are still illegal structures seen along the falls’ area.

Garcia clarified that despite the demolition, there are still reports on structures reaching the falls’ 20-meter zone which she believes is a clear violation of the water code.

The province, however, is ready to press charges against violators who insist on going against the closure order. 

“No, we are not opening it. These are illegal structures so I told them that we are ready to file cases against them,” Garcia firmly said.

 Garcia however clarified that she already met with the Kawasan Falls structure owners and gave them two weeks to voluntarily demolish the illegal infrastructures left. She added that the province is looking into the plan of relocating the structure owners who would abide with the demolition since most of them actually own properties.

The structure owners showed up during the meeting giving the governor a positive response except for resort owner, Willy Saldua, who did not show up.

“He (Saldua) really did not attend and that explains his extreme bad faith. All the other structure owners both from 1, 2 and 3 were present. I believe that indicated their willingness to cooperate. I hope so,” Garcia said.

One of the grounds for the closure of Kawasan Falls is the alleged violation of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). Garcia said that aside from the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the province, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 is also coming up with their own TWG to specifically study the ECC of Kawasan Falls as well as its violations.

“I also gave them (DENR) I think two weeks time. Mag-meeeting na sad mig balik (We will meet again…) for them to report on their findings to the TWG of Kawasan,” Garcia said.

Garcia also warned violators that they are just wasting their own capital in insisting to construct along the falls area since the province is firm in its stand to close Kawasan Falls.

“Di gihapun mo ka-negosyo diha kay di man allowed ang pag-sud. Wa man mo’y turista. Muingon mong dako na mog na-invest. Samot gud mo di kare-coup sa inyong capital, (You will never do business there because no one is allowed to enter. You will not have tourists. Even if you have invested a lot, you still cannot recoup your capital.)” the governor said.

Garcia said that there is already an existing Eco-tourism master plan way back in 2009 and it’s the LGU who missed to implement the plan effectively. She added that the dilemma on proper sanitation and “crass commercialism” practiced by most of the Kawasan Falls capitalists strengthened her stand not to lift the closure order. (FREEMAN)