CPA allows demolition of Pier 2 wall

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Ports Authority (CPA) has finally gave the Cebu City government the clearance to demolish the wall along Pier 2, which the Task Force Gubat sa Baha earlier identified to be one of the causes of flooding in the city.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, said the demolition is set on September 26.

The wall has long been identified by the Task Force Gubat sa Baha that needed to be cleared due to heavy siltation and garbage causing the flood water to backflow and consequently flooding the city, especially the downtown area.

Then Task Force Gubat sa Baha head Roy Cimatu was surprised to see a bridge blocking the river opening at Pier 2 which he said should have not been there. However, with the solid structure already long been existing and used, they had to be content with demolishing some structures such as walls to be able to go down and clear the identified river mouths.

While they were successful in tearing down the wall in Pier 3 and cleared the Lahug River opening, TF-Gubat sa Baha then missed to clear that of Pier 2 for Estero de Parian as conflict between suspended Mayor Michael Rama and the CPA erupted.

Upon Rama’s suspension, acting Mayor Raymond Garcia met with CPA officials to work out for solution to the problem.

“Nisupport ang CPA board sa direction sa city…under pa gani on Cimatu’s time na identify for easier access on the dredging and desilting…naa man gud sya sa bridge ba…maglisod ang mga equipment maong kuhaon na’ng wall,” said Guardo.

During the latest meeting of the TFGSB they also tackled the bridge design in the pier area.

“To prevent flooding, our natural waterways from rivers and creek must be free from natural obstruction,” Guardo said in a privilege speech Wednesday.

Guardo said they also found several houses built on the waterways during their ocular inspection of the Estero de Parian. He said these illegal structures are obstructing the flow of water causing the creek to overflow during heavy downpour.

“If left uncleared, these will result the flood waters to slow down, backflow, overflow and resulted to flooding,” Guardo said.

The record shows that out of 105 houses within the 3-meter easement of Estero de Parian, 85 houses are still left to be cleared and obstructing the natural flow of water.

Guardo said they have also invited the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and CPA Board for a discussion to address the construction of structures underneath the bridge in the port area that are also obstructing the flow of water.

“The Cebu Port Authority Board, together with their chairman, expressed full support and interposes no objection to re-design the structural column of the bridge along the port. The CPA Board even offered for the clearing of the wall along the port bridge to provide access of equipment from DEPW and DPWH for dredging and de-silting works,” Guardo said.

Some of the councilors, however, are adamant on redesigning the structural column of the bridge along Pier 2. They want a representative from DPWH and CPA to appear before them first before giving their approval to re-design the said bridge. —/FPL (FREEMAN)