’40-meter No-Build Zone Impractical’

The enforcement of the no-build zone specially in areas like Bantayan Island is “impractical,” and that there should be a “balancing act” in its implementation, said Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

“We have to do a balancing act… We want, as much as possible, ma-comply kining mga laws on safety sa mga residents and tourists from typhoons. We have to consider also ang mga limitations,” said Davide when interviewed by reporters on Monday.

“I believe that the DENR is checking on that and we would like to point out, the enforcement of no-build zone is impractical. Dili maka comply ang 40-meter (easement) from the shoreline to the safer ground. That’s one aspect we need to look at,” he explained when asked of his reaction on presidential assistant for rehabilitation and recovery chief Panfilo Lacson’s statement regarding the national government’s prohibition against building structures within 40 meters from the shoreline.

Lacson shared similar views with Davide.

Davide said that if structures are built on this zone, evacuation centers should also be constructed near to it.

“Just in case, then we can make exceptions,” he said adding that not all places are actually prone to storm surges or other destructive phenomenon.

The prohibition came after some residents in Bantayan Island have started rebuilding houses and resort rooms along the beaches, six months after these were swept away by super typhoon Yolanda.

The national government prohibited the rebuilding of any structures there.

For her part, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said although the provincial government would like to help the coastal towns, the local leaders there are given the upper hand in ensuring that no structures are built in danger zones like the beaches.

She said the Provincial government has no jurisdiction over this issue as municipal waters are controlled by local government units.

“Para nako, kami wa mi jurisdiction. We enacted an ordinance, but it was vetoed by Governor Pabling Garcia. After that we said ang towns ang pabuhaton. Wa mi municipal waters. So ang towns mo reenact ana,” she said.

But Magpale said if she were to be followed, she wanted the beachfronts to be free from any structures.

“It should be free. Nindot og wide (ang beaches). Look at Hawaii, Waikiki…” she said.