Halt order on Inayawan, Cogon Pardo road project still in effect

THE cease-and-desist order (CDO) protecting century-old mangroves along the coastlines of Inayawan and Cogon Pardo remains in effect, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed.

Archival said he will not lift the CDO issued by the previous administration unless the road project contractor and the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cebu City Engineering District present a clear environmental mitigation plan to safeguard the mangroves.

He clarified that neither the contractor nor the DPWH has submitted a plan and other necessary environmental permits and clearances to the City Government.

Archival said the project falls under the jurisdiction of the DPWH.

“Unless such time nga ilahang ma-correct kay in effect pa na,” said Archival in an interview on July 25, 2025, following the tree-planting activity of 5,000 mangrove propagules at the South Road Properties (SRP) near the site.

On June 5, 2025, the CDO was issued by then-acting mayor Donaldo Hontiveros, effectively halting the P97-million access road project of the DPWH-Cebu City Engineering District and the WTG Construction and Development Corporation.

The proponent failed to comply with necessary environmental protection permits before the construction commenced. It reportedly did not commission an Environmental Impact Study, and the DPWH Cebu City Engineering District did not apply for or receive an Environmental Compliance Certificate from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The project aims to connect F. Gabuya Extension to the SRP. It would serve as an alternative route for motorists traveling to and from the national road.

“Nindot man ang ilahang intention (sa project) pero ang pagpaagi nila kay basically naigo ang uban mangroves,” Archival said.

(Their intention for the project is good, but the way they went about it basically affected some of the mangroves.)

He added that there was an initial proposal floated by the contractor, including the planting of replacement mangroves to offset the damaged or lost mangroves. But Archival said this proposal is under review.

On June 4, the City Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CCenro) team reported that mangroves in Cogon Pardo were being buried under filling material.

Fearing the impact of the filling materials on the newly discovered century-old mangrove trees, CCenro sought the intervention of the Office of the Mayor.

The CDO specifically stopped the dumping of "anapog" and other filling materials. (EHP)