Lahug wall going down

THE concrete wall between the Cebu IT Park and Filinvest Cyberzone is finally going down.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III and City Mayor Michael Rama will lead the symbolic demolition of the wall along Geonzon St. in barangay Apas today.

As of last night, Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman said about half of the 240-meter-long wall has been torn down.

“We are happy that the issue has been resolved. It’s long overdue,” he said.

The conflict over the wall has delayed the operations of Cyberzone, a four-tower business process outsourcing (BPO) complex developed by Filinvest Land subsidiary Cyberzone Properties, Inc. on a 1.2-hectare province-owned lot. The first building, a 10-level structure, faces the wall.

Cyberzone and Cebu IT Park developer Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp. (CPVDC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) early this year to resolve the conflict.

CPVDC will get additional access points for its 27-hectare cyberpark in exchange for allowing the demolition of the wall, which will improve access to Cyberzone.

“Upon their request, we have done our part in the MOA ahead of schedule, so that they can hold their event. Moving forward, we hope that the access points as identified in the MOA will soon be delivered to improve the flow of traffic in the area,” Cebu Holdings, Inc. (CHI) communications manager Jeanette Japzon said in a text message to CDN. Cebu Holdings is CPVDC’s parent company.

Cebu City legal officer Jerone Castillo said Rama had pushed for the demolition of the wall  “because it’s a threat to security and safety of the people that will be working there.”

“That’s why we’re thankful with the development,” Castillo said.

At present, the Cyberzone property can only be accessed from Salinas Drive. Tearing down the wall will open up a 240-meter frontage for the property.