CEBU, Philippines - The barangay hall in Mantuyong, Mandaue City will be demolished soon.
Mayor Jonas Cortes said after the clearing operations in Sitio Mahayag and Sitio Mahusay are completely done, demolition of the barangay hall will follow next.
Both sitios of Mahayag and Mahusay lie at the surroundings of Mahiga Creek in Barangay Subangdaku while is considered a danger zone by the city.
Cortes said he does not want the city to be accused of applying double standard if it spares the Mantuyong Barangay Hall from demolition as it also lies at the Mantuyong creek.
"This is to prove that in Mandaue, we mean business dili kay selective… nga informal settlers atong gub-on (ilang balay) unya naay structure sa gobyerno di nato gub-on," Cortes said.
He added that the demolition of the barangay hall will be carried out soon as a new building in front of the Colonnade Mall is almost finished, serving as their new home.
Cortes said the same thing will also happen to Opao Police Station which also lies on top of the Opao Creek.
The police station already received a demolition order from the City Legal Office several years ago.
However, the mayor said although they have eyed several sites for their supposed relocation, there are complications for the transfer.
This is because although the city can offer a site, it will also change the jurisdiction of the police station, which the city cannot decide alone as it needs the approval of the higher hierarchy of the PNP.
He said there is a need to sit down with the PNP higher officials on how to go with the relocation of the Opao Police Station without changing its jurisdiction. (FREEMAN)