Mandaue City wants more time to demolish footbridges
Mandaue city officials favor the removal of footbridges at the Mahiga Creek but asked for time to inform settlers on their side of the creek about it.
Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes met yesterday with Cebu city officials after Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama announced last week that the makeshift bridges made by informal settlers were “nuisances” that have to be demolished before he returns from his trip abroad next week.
“They are amenable but they want time, which we will also recommend to Mayor Rama. But they have no question about removing the bridges,” said Jose Daluz III who heads the Cebu City River Management Council (CCRMC).
No date has been set yet for the demolition, Daluz said.
He said they didn’t want to impose a deadline on the Mandaue City government.
Daluz said he assured Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes that he would relay his message to Rama.
“When he comes back (from Portugal), maybe Mayor Rama can talk with Mayor Cortes on when the demolition can push through,” Daluz said.
Officials of Cebu and Mandaue cities met at a restaurant in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday noon.
Mandaue city officials were preparing for their annual budget next year. Cebu CIty officials took the opportunity to sit down with them.
With Mayor Cotes were their city administrator, city engineer, and the barangay captain of Subangdaku where Mahiga Creek falls.
Cebu City officials were led by Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella, Daluz, City Administrator Lucelle Mercado, City Engineer Jose Maria Poblete, urban poor head Collin Rossell and Probe team chief Raquel Arce.
Officials agreed to form a joint team of both cities to oversee projects and decisions involving the Mahiga River.
“We are happy with this development. From now on, every meeting regarding the Mahiga River will be with the Mandaue officials. We have so many things to discuss. That was still an initial meeting,” Daluz said.
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