Council wants culvert bridge at SRP removed

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested Mayor Michael Rama to order the demolition of a culvert bridge located at the South Road Properties (SRP) that obstructed the waterways and affected the livelihood of the fisherfolk.

In a privilege speech on Wednesday, Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover, Jr.   said the fisherfolk from at least six barangays are affected by the said project which was constructed in 2016 as shortcut access for garbage trucks going to the Inayawan transfer station.

Alcover said that the livelihood of at least 100 fishermen from Barangays Basak San Nicolas, Bulacao, Cogon Pardo, Duljo Fatima, Inayawan, and Mambaling were affected.

“Base sa atong konsultasyon sa atong mga mangingisdaay, halos unom na katuig ang milabay pero wala mapusli ang maong shortcut nga gitukod unta para sa mga garbage trucks.  Unya, ang panginabuhian sa atong mga mangingisdaay diha sa SRP maoy apektado. Naglisod sila sa pag-agi kay lagi ang ilahang agianan nga sapa-sapa gibabagan naman, gialihan naman sa mga culvert,” said Alcover.

“Usa ni ka ehemplo sa pagbuhat og proyekto nga walay saktong kapasikaran sa benepisyo. Dili kini magbunga og maayong lakang alang sa mga katawhan,” he added.

Last 2016, Alcover joined the fisherfolk to protest the city government’s construction of the culvert bridge connecting SRP to the Inayawan landfill.

In a corollary motion, Councilor Rey Gealon requested the Office of the Mayor to order the demolition of all culvert bridges, saying that it is a “crude way” of making bridges.

“As I observed, with the construction of the third bridge having sat there as member of the working group, they do not allow any obstruction of the waterways and this kind of bridge obstructs the passageway of water vehicles,” said Gealon.

Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, chairperson of the city’s tourism commission, supported the move, stating that they have already plans for the tourism in the SRP area and it is difficult for them to conduct a cleanup if the water cannot flow freely.

“If that culverts will be removed, it's easier for us to improve. And then, if ever there will be plans of the city to have another access towards SRP, I believe a proper bridge is more suitable rather than that,” said Pesquera. — FPL (FREEMAN)