THE Cebu Provincial Government will provide financial assistance of P10,000 to operators and owners of fixed and floating cottages in Cordova who will be affected by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s demolition order.
The governor issued an ultimatum giving them no later than October 4, 2022 to demolish their structures during the second stakeholders’ meeting at the Cordoval Sports Complex on Tuesday, September 20.
On Wednesday, September 21, Garcia signed Executive Order 36, “ordering the demolition or removal of illegal structures, such as floating and fixed cottages, within the coastal waters of the Municipality of Cordova.”
A total of 73 owners of floating cottages, 54 owners of fixed cottages and 16 owners of stores in the port area in Bantayan Bay in Barangay Poblacion will receive the cash aid from the Provincial Government.
Another 147 banca operators whose livelihoods will be affected by the order will each receive P5,000 from the Municipality.
Owners who voluntarily demolish their cottages or stalls will also receive Sugbo Negosyo Cards worth P10,000. They can use these to purchase goods at partner merchants to start new businesses.
All affected stakeholders will receive a sack of rice from the Municipality, which will also provide financial assistance to cottage owners (P5,000) and boat operators (P2,000).
The governor earlier issued EOs 19 and 25 temporarily suspending the operation of fixed and floating cottages in the town after a water quality check in the vicinity of these establishments in August showed high fecal coliform levels.
These establishments also violated the Water Code of the Philippines, Water Code of the Province of Cebu, the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, Sanitation Code of the Philippines and the Tourism Act of 2009. (ANV/PJB)