Pier 2 wall to be demolished today

CEBU, Philippines — Another wall at the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is set to be taken down this morning as scheduled to give access to the city s clearing operations in the area.

This time, the wall that will be taken down will be around Pier 2. The first wall was around Pier 3.

It took a while for the Cebu City government to push through with the demolition of the wall, which is along a bridge, following the conflict between Mayor Mike Rama and the CPA.

However, after talks with acting mayor Raymond Garcia and the CPA management, the long-overdue plan of Mayor Rama, through the Task Force Gubat sa Baha (TFGSB) to clear the area, is finally pushing through.

The Freeman learned from PROBE s head and TFGSB Estero de Parian river commander Aderson Comar that they will start the demolition of the said wall at Pier 2 at 9 am today.

This was agreed during their final coordination meeting with Department of Engineering and Public Works, Cebu City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, Cebu City Transportations Office, Department of Public Works and Highways, and barangays Tinago and San Roque, as well as CPA itself.

This concrete fence is fronting the Estero de Parian, Comar disclosed, and is necessary to be taken down so that the equipment can be brought down below the bridge for clearing of garbage and for desilting operations.

Comar said there is no other way to bring down equipment in the area for desilting.

Anha man i-agi ang equipment para muhinlo sa kanal Unsa may entrada nato nga puro man na balay dihang dapita so kanang pader ang gub-on, said Comar.

Comar added that they hope to be done and to clear the area within the day as it is a busy area.

Kinahanglan paspasan gyud ang among trabaho ani ugma, within the day or gabii ba, basta ugma dapat mahuman na na dayon kay daghan biya nag truck diha mangagi, Comar said.

The clearing of garbage and desilting in the area is expected to ease up the flow of water in the area, mitigating flooding in downtown area.

If left uncleared, these will result the flood waters to slow down, backflow, overflow and resulted to flooding, said Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo earlier.

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, as it is obstructing the natural flow of water.

The city government is also looking at redesigning the bridge but its design still needs to be further discussed. — /ATO