CEBU City Mayor-elect Nestor Archival expressed his profound satisfaction with Acting Mayor Dondon Hontiveros’ cease and desist order (CDO) on the P97 million road construction project that threatens a mangrove forest in the city.
In a media interview on Friday, June 6, 2025, Archival emphasized the vital role of mangroves as natural protection against large tidal waves. He stressed that no one should be allowed to damage these crucial ecosystems and their associated wildlife.
“Ang kanang mangrove, mao man gud nay protection unta nato. Unya wala gyu’y mga tao nga gitugotan nga mang daot sa mangroves,” Archival said after his site visit to the fire-hit area in Sitio Paradise Tres, Barangay Kinasang-an.
(The mangroves are supposed to be our protection. And no one is allowed to damage the mangroves.)
“Nalipay ko nga gitagaan dayon nag action ni (I am happy that action was taken immediately by Acting Mayor Dondon Hontiveros,” he added, commending the swift response.
Acting Mayor Hontiveros had previously issued the CDO against the road construction project, halting the contractor from dumping filling materials, such as limestone (locally known as anapog), due to significant environmental concerns.
Hontiveros’ directive was a direct response to a resolution passed by the Coastline Management Board (CMB) a few months prior, which sought legislative protection for mangroves in Cogon Pardo and Inayawan. On March 11, 2025, CMB Resolution 2025-03-01 specifically 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 as an alternative route.
The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), 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 assessment team reported to the Cebu City Rivers Management Council (CCRMC) on Wednesday, June 4, that mangroves in Cogon Pardo were being buried under the filling material.
Upon issuing the CDO, Hontiveros directed Ccenro to convene a technical conference with all involved parties to address the situation. A board resolution from the CCRMC dated June 4 stated that the backfilling activities were pursued without any plan for proper management or rehabilitation, raising serious environmental concerns. These include the degradation of mangrove habitat, which adversely affects wildlife such as terrestrial species, migratory birds and aquatic animals.
Cenro stated that it was not informed of the project or its
potential effects, as no prior communication was sent to the agency from either the DPWH-Cebu City Engineering District or the contractor. Cenro argued that the mangrove ecosystem has already faced critical threats such as illegal cutting, solid waste pollution and human encroachment.
There was also 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.
Furthermore, Presidential Decree (PD) 705, or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, and PD 953 also prohibit the cutting and destruction of mangrove forests, with fines and imprisonment stipulated for violators. / JPS