Cebu, Mandaue Forms Panel To Remove Illegal Structures in Mahiga Creek

A committee composed of representatives from the Mandaue and Cebu City governments has been created to discuss steps on how to remove the houses and other illegal structures built within the three meter easement of both sides of Mahiga Creek.

The creation of the committee was decided after Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella and Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortez had met with each other last Friday, together with some other officials of the two cities.

Cebu City Legal Officer Jerone Castillo and his counterpart in Mandaue City are also part of the committee. Lawyer Jose Daluz III has been designated as the only spokesman of the group to have a uniform information dissemination to the public.

According to Daluz there are four representatives from Mandaue City and a similar number from the Cebu City government that would be helping with each other in discussing how to speed up the removal of these illegal structures.

Cortez also agreed that the 22 foot bridges along the Mahiga Creek shall be destroyed because it will obstruct the flow of water that sometimes would cause the river to overflow.

“Karon nga duna nay namugna nga komitiba nagpasabot nga may koordinasyon na ang duha ka local government units ug makapadali na kinis a pagtrabaho pagtangtang sa illegal structure diha sa sapa,” said Daluz.

Daluz, head of the Reduce Danger Zone (Redz-R)- River in Cebu City, said that during their inspection it was found out that several illegal structures are constructed with the side of Mandaue City. There is also a house that is constructed right on top of the Mahiga Creek near Barangay Subangdaku bridge and it will be among the illegal structures to be demolished, he added.

There is an existing law that prohibits the construction of any structures within the three-meter easement from the side of creeks and rivers that is why Mayor Rama wants it to be strictly implemented here.

Image Credit: cebudailynews.wordpress.com