10-day ultimatum issued vs 2 easement violators

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government thru the Task Force Gubat sa Baha chairman, former Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, has given two big establishments along General Maxilom Avenue a 10-day ultimatum to voluntarily demolish a portion of their structures that encroached the three-meter easement of the Lahug-Kamputhaw River.

 “Matagal na kasi eto, and it should be about time na din to push through with this because we want to restore our rivers and if we don’t act we might lose our opportunity,” said Cimatu.

According to the city public information office, the two establishments are the White Knight Hotel and Lighthouse Restaurant.

Cimatu, who was then Environment Secretary, first noticed the illegal structures in 2020 when he visited the area following the death of a minor who was swept by flood and found trapped underneath the hotel’s alleged illegal structure.

A notice of compliance was issued against the hotel by the city legal office during the administration of the late mayor Edgardo Labella. The city legal office asked the management to voluntarily demolish and remove the illegal steel matting and other structures under the driveway. The notice was allegedly ignored until now.

The respective management of Lighthouse and White Knight Hotel reportedly asked for the deferment of the demolition, claiming that they are still looking for solutions that would minimize the damage to both establishments.

But Cimatu said the two establishments were already given enough time and should have already complied with the order.

“They should pay for it. Very obvious that they are just prolonging this so they must comply with it (order) na,” he said.

In his latest meeting with the members of the Task Force, Cimatu said he wants more attention to be given to the Tejero River because of the frequent flooding in the surrounding areas.

The meeting was also attended by the officials of Talisay City, led by City Administrator Atty. Rudelyn Navarro. According to Cimatu, they invited the officials of Talisay City because they need help from the said local government unit in the rehabilitation of the Bulacao River.

Navarro assured the support of Talisay in the restoration of Bulacao River.

“I appreciate your support sa aming river project dito kasi this will not only contribute to us but your city as well, especially the Talisay side of the Bulacao River,” Cimatu said in greeting the visitors. — FPL (FREEMAN)