TO PROTECT “century-old” mangroves and wildlife, the backfilling for alternative road construction projects along the coastline areas in Barangays Inayawan and Cogon Pardo in Cebu City has been temporarily stopped for technical review.
Acting Cebu City Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros has issued a cease and desist order against the P97 million road construction project, stopping the project contractor from dumping of filling materials such as limestone, locally known as anapog, citing environmental concerns of the road construction project.
Hontiveros’ move was in response to a resolution passed by the Coastline Management Board (CMB) a few months ago, seeking legislative protection for mangroves in Cogon Pardo and Inayawan. On March 11, 2025, CMB Resolution 2025-03-01 requested the City Council to enact measures for mangrove growth and development.
The road construction, a project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), is slated to connect F. Gabuya Extension to the South Road Properties (SRP) as an alternative road.
Inspection
The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Ccenro), led by Juan Pablo Yao, head of the technical services unit, conducted an inspection in the area and discovered naturally growing, century-old mangroves.
The team that conducted the initial assessment reported to the Cebu City Rivers Management Council on Wednesday, June 4, that mangroves in Cogon Pardo were being buried under filling material.
Hontiveros, upon issuing the cease and desist order, directed Ccenro to convene a technical conference with all parties involved to address the situation. A board resolution from the CCRMC dated June 4 said the backfilling activities were pursued without any plan for proper management or rehabilitation, raising serious environmental concerns. This includes degradation of mangrove habitat, adversely affecting wildlife such as terrestrial species, migratory birds and aquatic animals.
The Ccenro was not informed of the project and its effects as no prior communication was sent to the agency either from the DPWH-Cebu City Engineering District or the contractor. Ccenro argued that the mangrove ecosystem has already faced critical threats such as illegal cutting, solid waste pollution and human encroachment.
There was an initial agreement with the National Museum of the Philippines to declare these centennial mangroves as heritage trees for their protection under Republic Act 10066.
Presidential Decree 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, and Presidential Decree 953 also prohibited the cutting and destruction of mangrove forests, with fines and imprisonment against violators. / EHP