Capitol orders clearing of Kawasan Falls area

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Governor Gwendolyn has ordered the demolition of illegal structures within the identified foreshore and easement zones in Kawasan, Matutinao, Badian town.

Garcia issued an executive order for the demolition of these structures that were “abandoned, unoccupied or rendered obsolete” after the onslaught of the typhoon Odette in 2021 “…thereby causing unsightly and hazardous nuisances thereon in violation of the policies laid down in Republic Act no. 9593.”

The EO which dated May 18, 2023 stated that based on the inventory by the Badian Municipal Environment and Natural Resources (MENRO) and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), these illegal structures in the easement areas have been found to be in violation of the Presidential Decree No. 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines and the Cebu Provincial Ordinance No. 2021-01 or the Water Code of the Province of Cebu.

“In a report dated 17 February 2023, the Municipal Engineering Office (MEO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and the Municipal Tourism Office (MTO) of the Municipality of Badian found abandoned buildings and metal spikes within the Kawasan Falls area, Barangay Matutinao, Badian, Cebu as risk hazards,” reads part of the EO No. 12.

Kawasan Falls is one of the top tourism destinations found in Badian.

The governor said with the said findings the LGU requested for assistance from the Capitol to implement the demolition of these structures.

The Capitol has been in coordination and in talks with the resort and non-resort owners whose structures are located within the defined easement zones in the different towns and cities in the Province like in Bantayan Island. (Cebu News)