Opposition won’t stop city’s cemetery project

CEBU, Philippines —  Nothing can stop the public cemetery project in Barangay Sapangdaku, Cebu City despite the ongoing signature campaign by some of the residents, a city official said.

Lawyer Janeses Ponce, head of the city’s Land Management Council, said majority of the residents approved of the project during the public hearing held last July 17. 

“Absolutely because this is legal and supported by the DENR, IATF… not just the city government alone,” Ponce told The FREEMAN when asked if the city will push through with the project despite opposition.

“We had a public hearing last July 17 and majority of the residents agreed,” Ponce added.

Earlier, Sapangdaku Barangay Captain Jovito Ladrazo told The Freeman that some unconvinced residents are rolling out a signature campaign to express their opposition to the establishment of the Cebu City Botanical and Memorial Garden on a two-hectare property spanning two sitios--- Patay’ng Yuta and Baksan.

 Councilor Dave Tumulak, who was tasked by Mayor Edgardo Labella to oversee the construction of the new cemetery, said they have not yet started the development because of the needed clearances.

Tumulak said they are still processing all the requirements such as environmental compliance certificate before starting the actual construction. He added that they have not also received a copy of the reported signature campaign by the residents in the area.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Roy Cimatu, who was assigned by President Rodrigo Duterte to oversee the COVID-19 response in Cebu City, has personally endorsed the construction of the cemetery in the area.

In fact, Cimatu had visited the place twice already. During his visits, he assured the residents of the government’s diligence in making sure the cemetery will meet the “highest health and safety standards.”

The cemetery was originally proposed to be constructed at Sitio Catives in Barangay Guba. In fact, the city already started the site development, triggering a controversy because of the cutting of the more than 300 trees without a permit from DENR.

A show cause order was already issued by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) against the city government. A separate notice of violation was also issued by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) against the city, also for lack of permit to undertake the development since the area is a watershed.

The city government is scrambling to build a new public cemetery to address the shortage of burial sites in the city amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The city has noted an unusual increase in the number of deaths that has overwhelmed the mortuaries and public cemeteries.  FPL (FREEMAN)