CPA gives way to senior citizens' park

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has given consent to the Cebu City Government to demolish the wall at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources lot adjacent to the Gotiaco Building to give way to the senior citizens park that Mayor Michael Rama is planning to build.

The wall is the only structure left in the area after the DENR demolished its “condemned” warehouse beside the Gotiaco building.

The demolition of the DENR building was completed last week. To recall, the city government requested the DENR to demolish the structure because it was declared unsafe for occupancy. The city government also asked the permission of DENR to convert the area into a senior citizens park.

The CPA approved the demolition of the wall but asked some favors from the city in return. The CPA asked for the deployment of security guards round-the-clock in the area.

“No occupancy, transient or otherwise, at the CPA property at the vicinity of the Compaña Maritima Building and other open space thereat,” CPA General Manager Dennis R. Villamor said.

The CPA also said that maintenance of cleanliness and sanitation in the area at all times while the agency wants the removal of the Materials Recovery Facility at the Compaña Maritima Building leaving no trace of dirt.

The CPA also requests the removal of illegal settlers in the vicinity of the Carbon Market at the end of D. Jakosalem Extension, near the old office of a shipping company going towards the South Road Properties.

Philip Zafra, Rama's chief of staff, said that the Office of the Mayor, City Administrator and Market Operations Division have met and discussed the requests of the CPA.

Zafra said the City Hall's blue guards will help secure the area.

As to maintaining cleanliness, Zafra said the city government will even landscape the area and prevent informal settlers.

The MRF will be kept as appealed by the barangay officials. Barangay Ermita promised to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in the area.

Zafra said that the request of the CPA to remove the informal settlers at the back of the Office of the Building Superintendent might take time. There will be series of meetings involving the urban poor office for that. – (FREEMAN)