Two firms ‘violating easement’

MANILA, Philippines — A drive-in hotel and a shipping company were found to have violated the three-meter easement for urban waterways stipulated under the Water Code of the Philippines.

Three days ago, the Cebu City Government’s Task Force Gubat sa Baha Mahiga River Troopers, led by its deputy river commander Susan Araneta found out of Lite Shipping Company and Queensland’s violation after an ocular inspection.

The Task Force, through its Facebook page, reported that the two companies, located in Holy Name Extension, Brgy. Mabolo have portions of their structures that are built within Mahiga Creek’s three-meter easement.

The Task Force identified Lite Shipping’s tall fence and Queensland’s rooms at the back portion of its property as the offending structures.

Based on the report from Araneta, they have already informed the management of both business establishments concerning their easement violation.

Meanwhile, the Guadalupe River troopers also conducted socio-economic profiling and geo-tagging the other day in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City.

They were accompanied by the City’s Department of Engineering and Public Work’s Engr. Carlos Empes and Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor’s Carlos Aparecio.

The group profiled nine informal settler families and four residential-business establishments along the danger zone.

The city government is hoping to move all those living in danger zones and clear all structures within the three-meter easement of its major waterways to address massive flooding in the city.

While the resettlement areas and housing for residents whose homes have been tagged are not yet available, the Task Force continually does the profiling of affected residents and establishments.