LGUs ordered to clear coasts of shanties

CEBU, Philippines - Local government units in the province were ordered to clear the coastal areas of shanties and other structures.

The order came from Governor Gwen Garcia after huge waves destroyed the homes of a hundred families in barangays Dumlog and Poblacion, Talisay City, the other day.

The governor already directed the provincial social welfare office to send rice, canned goods, milk and used clothing to the affected families.

“Dili unta patukuran og balay sa baybayon kay prone kaayo na sila diha sa strong waves and high-risk gyud,” Garcia said yesterday.

Residents in the affected area blamed the Talisay City government for not putting up a seawall to protect the densely populated area along the seafront despite a promise made some three years ago.

They said that if only the city government made good on its promise to build the seawall, they would not have suffered the destruction of their homes.

The governor, in her press conference, said the province provided 5,900 bags of cement for the proposed 527-meter seawall project years ago.

Dumlog barangay captain Charles Basillote went to the Capitol to ask for more bags of cement to complete the seawall project in his barangay but was told to liquidate first the 2,644 bags of cement that the Capitol gave in 2007 for the project.

More than three years has passed and only the first phase, about 300 meters of the seawall which protects a private resort and a new housing project development, was finished. It did not reach the area where it was promised.

All province projects, according to Garcia, have monitoring teams who check on them.

 The governor explained that the Capitol will not give the remaining equipment without a clear program of works.

“We deliver our promises. Ang matag centavo must be properly accounted,” Garcia said. — Garry B. Lao/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)