Monday, July 14, 2008 Demolition to spare ‘sutukil’ restaurants
OFFICIALS of Baran-gay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City wanted their shore cleared of illegal structures, which they said have become eyesores and caused damage to marine environment.
But the demolition will not include the famous “sutukil (sugba, tula, kilaw)” restaurants that occupied almost half of the land area of the Mactan Shrine.
Efrain Pelaez, Jr. head of an anti-graft group in the city, described the structures as a symbol of City Hall’s incompetence and corruption, as construction in shorelines is
prohibited by law.
Only residential structures near the shore will be demolished through the help of City Hall because aside from being illegally built, its occupants are dumping their thrash into the sea, damaging the marine life and dirtying the shore.
“Upon recent monitoring by the barangay, it has been found that the shed owners have poorly maintain the sanitary conditions and are not conscious of ensuring precautions to prevent environment adverse consequences,” a barangay ordinance said.
It asked manpower and equipment from City Hall for the demolition.
>Legality
The number of structures to be demolished is not known et. But to support the legality of the action, the barangay approved a separate ordinance revoking the occupancy permits of the squatters.
Paz Radaza, barangay captain and wife of Mayor Arturo Radaza, said the initiative is meant to curb coastline squatting and promote coastal cleanliness.
The ordinance said construction of sheds and illegal structures along the shorelines of Barangay Mactan had already become rampant causing damage to the marine product in the area. (AIV)
