LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan has reiterated that floating cottages are not allowed in the city.
This, despite claims by owners of floating cottages that barangays had given them permission to anchor off their coast.
“Well, if the barangay had given its permission, it still has to go through the City. So if the barangay will give clearance, they need a business permit. If they do not do have a business permit, they cannot operate,” Chan said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Alex Baring, head of the City Agriculture and Fisheries Office, earlier told SunStar Cebu that three floating cottages are anchored off the coast of Barangay Subasbas and one each off the coast of Punta Engaño, Agus and Marigondon.
Baring said he already asked the operators to show written approval from the barangays.
The floating cottages are from neighboring Cordova, where its operation was temporary halted at the end of August to facilitate the rehabilitation of polluted seawater.
The unregulated establishment of floating and fixed cottages on and along the town’s coast was blamed for the high fecal coliform level in the water, which exceeded the allowable level.
Chan had said he didn’t want the same thing to happen in Lapu-Lapu City.