Apas officials object to street closure by lot owner

BARANGAY officials in Apas, Cebu City called on the city government to act on the closure of a portion of J. Panis St. by a private lot owner.

Apas barangay chairman Ramil Ayuman said the closure affected residents and owners of establishments who have been using the road to get to their destinations.

He asked the Land Management Council (LMC) to investigate the closure.

“Several months ago, a portion of this road was closed, notwithstanding its continued use and public character, on the basis that it has supposedly become part of a private property. Ironically, a private road had to be opened in lieu of the public road for the community to access,” Ayuman said in a letter he sent to LMC chairman Jade Ponce.

He said the street passes through the Cebu Memorial Park, St. Michael Village, Visayan Electric Company (VECO),

Georich Townhomes, Arcenas Apartments and other establishments and residences.

Ayuman said the road has been used as a public road and is even recognized by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) as a national road known as the Old Cadre Road.

He showed a letter from DPWH-7 regional director Ador Canlas who said J. Panis St. is a national road based on their office records.

Ayuman’s letter to the LMC was also signed by several residents of St. Michael Village.

Ayuman said he talked with officials of City Hall’s Office of the Building Official (OBO) who told him that the private owner in the area actually applied for a fencing permit from the city government but it was rejected.

“Technically, it didn’t comply with the requirements so it’s illegal,” he said.

He said he requested Building Official Engr. Jose Marie Poblete to look into the issue.

Poblete promised to send personnel to inspect the area within the week.

Ayuman also said there are several Supreme Court jurisprudence which stated that ownership of areas devoted for the use of the general public is automatically vested in the local government concerned.