CEBU City Hall stood pat on its position regarding the alleged construction of a 20-storey building within the Compania Maritima premises, despite the denial issued by the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) that the CPA had such a plan.
Mayor Michael Rama told SunStar Cebu on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, he possesses all the legal documents supporting the City’s claim that new structures built within the Compania Maritima premises were unauthorized.
On Monday, Oct. 2, the Cebu City Hall hit CPA anew over several new structures in the area including the ongoing construction of a 20-floor building located in South Road Property near Compania Maritima.
In a press conference, Rama said he will not back down against any illegal invasion of the territory.
“Who gave them the authority over that area? I really find the situation there abominable,” Rama said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Rama said the action of the CPA is a slap on the City Government.
In an official statement released by the CPA on Thursday, Oct. 5, the CPA management said the allegation is not true.
“To set the record straight, what is being said on the alleged plan of CPA to construct a 20-storey building along Compania Maritima premises is certainly not true,” the CPA said.
“In fact, any plan or proposal to this effect was not presented, discussed nor gained any approval from the CPA’s governing body, the Cebu Port Commission,” the CPA management said.
When asked if the CPA’s claim contradicts the agency’s actions, Rama declined to provide a direct response saying he wants to avoid repeatedly discussing the issue and instead focus on moving forward.
“For all intents and purposes, wala jud koy negosyo dihang dapita (I don’t have a business in that area),” Rama said.
Rama said he has been in a “very enlightening” discussion with Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and DOTr Undersecretary Elmer Sarmiento on the matter. Rama said the two officials “expressed positivity” about the City’s claim.
“So much has been developed, but everything will end well,” Rama said.
For his part, Cebu City Legal Officer-in-charge Carlo Vincent Gimena told SunStar Cebu on Friday that if the CPA denies the accusation, he would like to know who is responsible for the ongoing construction activity near the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) staging area.
Gimena said the ongoing construction has no fencing and building permits as well as location clearance from the Office of the Building Official (OBO).
He said he already requested OBO to endorse relevant documents on the matter so that he will be able to verify the statement coming from the CPA, and do what is necessary and appropriate.
Cebu City Administrator Collin Rosell said on Monday, that the construction has been carried out using the free casting method. (AML)