City’s intervention sought: Van yard posing risks to public?

CEBU, Philippines - Residents are calling for the revocation of the variance permit issued to a container van yard operator in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City as the business is allegedly posing risks and causing road damages.

Locals living near J.M. Ceniza Street in Sitio Superior of the barangay want the variance permit of Oriental Port & Allied Services Corp. recalled because its container yard reportedly puts risks to their lives and causes damages on the road.

Last year, the residents, together with medical clinics, insurance firms and students and teachers of the Mandaue City College Technological Entrepreneurial School, signed a petition and endorsed it through the City Council with the help of barangay captain Cesar Cabahug.

The residents came up with the petition after they alleged that the city did not act on the complaint letter endorsed by Dr. Danilo Dionson to the office of Mayor Jonas Cortes, copy of which was also furnished to Engr. Florentino Nimor of the City Planning Office.

Dionson, in his letter, informed Mayor Cortes to take action against the containers yard because the residents found out that they have caused traffic congestions in their narrow road.

Residents also claimed the cemented road was also destructed because of a 20 to 40-footer vans passing the said road for at least 20 to 30 times a day. In addition, the drivers of these vans were also reportedly “abusive.”

As they received no feedback from their request, the residents then came up with a petition letter asking for the recall of the variance permit given to Opascor.

Venus Bate, spokesperson of the petitioners, complained that her concrete fence was also damaged by the “reckless drivers” of these container vans. Also damaged were a water company’s pipes and water meters of the residents.

Students and teachers also joined the petition after a student was also allegedly once side-swept by a container van and rendered the student physically injured.

Cabahug again wrote to the mayor on January 21 to follow up on the petition and complaints of the residents, but up to this day, no action has been taken still.

Dionson, for his part, also made a follow up letter dated February 10 addressed to the council, asking again for the recall of the variance permit of Opascor.

In a separate interview yesterday, Nimor said he was on his way to meet with Dionson to belie reports that the city did not act on their complaints.

Nimor said the letter-complaint and petition made by the residents were all forwarded to the Zoning Board which he chaired and the matter was already discussed.

In fact, a site inspection was already conducted by personnel of the City Legal Department and his office, he said.

He also said during the inspection, the container yard did not commit any violation because the maneuvering area of the trailer vans was inside their compound.

Nimor said the company has complied with what has been stipulated in the provision in the issuance of their permit.

“Busa ako na lang ron personally maoy makigkita ni Dr. Dionson ug mo-gather sa mga ebidensya labi sab kay naa na pu’y mga reklamo ron nga naigo sila sa ligid sa trailer  ug nangabuwasot ang ligid sa ilang mga sakyanan,” Nimor  said. (FREEMAN)