Estero de Parian three-meter easement: Almost 30 firms yet to comply

CEBU, Philippines — Close to 30 commercial establishments have not yet complied in removing their structures that encroached on the Estero de Parian in downtown Cebu City.

Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement (PROBE) Team Head and Task Force Gubat sa Baha River Commander Aderson Comar, however, said they already met with the concerned 27 out of the 50 establishments, including Gaisano Main.

He said Gaisano Main and the rest have already executed undertakings that they would clear the illegal structures within six months.

Under the Water Code of the Philippines, no structures should be present within three meters from each side of waterways in urban areas like Cebu City.

Comar said that the other day, PROBE cleared portions of two establishments that were found to have encroached on the three-meter easement of Estero de Parian while two others already started doing so on their own.

The Task Force also reported that Southern Pacific Transport Corporation’s owner already requested for PROBE’s assistance in clearing the fence of their building along R. Palma Street in Barangay San Roque that was built within the three-meter easement.

Last August 29, PROBE also conducted another clearing operation on Colon Street beside K&J Trading Ukay2x (back portion of Plastic and Things) together with the Task Force river troopers.

Comar said that there are establishment owners who opt to ask for the city government’s assistance in the demolition due to budgetary concerns.

The remaining structures, he said, are also just waiting for the renovation plans of their buildings to be done before clearing their encroaching structures.

Comar said that aside from commercial structures, there are also dwellers within the three-meter easement that are just waiting for the city’s transitional housing for them to evacuate their current homes.

The Task Force, which was created during the term of Mayor Mike Rama, who is currently serving a six-month preventive suspension, for the recovery of the city’s rivers to address massive flooding.

Comar said, once they are done clearing all illegal structures, another department should take over to recover the three-meter easement, as such is no longer PROBE’s task. — /RHM (FREEMAN)