One of the footbridges at the Mahiga Creek that connects the cities of Cebu and Mandaue is being targeted for demolition. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
Cebu City officials want a dialogue with the Mandaue City government before demolishing illegal footbridges over the Mahiga Creek that connect the two cities.
A total of 22 foot bridges have been identified, mostly owned by private persons.
However, one is owned by barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue and another by barangay Mabolo in Cebu City.
Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said he was about to sign the clearing order for the makeshift structures but wants to consult first with Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes before enforcing the order.
“We have to sit down with the mayor and legal officer of Mandaue for reasons of courtesy which is important. Cebu City alone can’t do this. We really need to coordinate and collaborate with Mandaue City,” Labella said.
Before he flew to Portugal last week, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered his staff to have the footbridges demolished before he returns.
He said the structures were a “nuisance” that obstruct the water flow in the creek.
Rama also stressed that the pedestrian bridges provide access to illegal settlers who continue to build near or over the river.
A draft of the clearing order invokes Article 694 of the Civil Code of the Philippines on nuisance structures.
It also cites section 3 of City Ordinance 1481 and Article 51 of Presidential Decree No. 1067 or the Water Code of the Philippines which says a three meter easement from rivers, creeks and waterways should be for public use.
Last Friday, Labella and other Cebu City officials walked along the Mahiga Creek with engineers from SM to see the area and study how to address flooding. Last Sept. 18’s downpour caused widespread flooding in Metro Cebu, including SM properties at the North Reclamation Area and South Road Properties (SRP).
Labella noted several houses and structures aleady built on top of the river.
“There is even a portion where the flow of water instead of going to the sea, goes back to the direction of the mountains. Of course, it can really cause flooding,” he said.
An inspection conducted by the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (Probe) team last Monday identified 22 footbridges and their owners.
Nuisance structures
Most owners are private persons. Two were established by government units, one by barangay Subangdaku in Mandaue and one by barangay Mabolo.
“Actual inspection conducted found out that some bridges hinder the flow of water and cleaning the Mahiga Creek, causing floods in the community,” read the Probe team’s inspection report.
The order for Probe to clear the footbridges isn’t signed yet by the acting mayor.
“We will be contacting Mandaue City officials for a meeting. These (footbridges) are illegal and we have to remove them. Out of respect to law, Mandaue City shouldn’t prevent us from demolishing,” City Attorney Jerone Castillo said.
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