Retaining wall needed in landslide-hit Busay

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City government will build a retaining wall in the landslide-inflicted portion of Barangay Busay to avoid further damage and to ensure safety of the residents in the area.

In a press conference, Councilor Jerry Guardo yesterday said there is an urgency to build the wall to ensure the safety of those who are living in the area as well as those who would pass by that area.

"Now our concern is safety of our people right now.  This is, as noted by our structure engineer, really an extremely dangerous situation that needs immediate and urgent repair and construction of the retaining wall," Guardo said.

Clarissa Otadoy, the owner of the cliff where a landslide covered several of their parked vehicles, will donate a part of the area to the government, so that the city can intervene and help in the rehabilitation of the place.

Guardo is “glad” Otadoy went to his office recently to express their willingness to donate their land to the government.

Earlier, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city is barred from doing anything in the rehabilitation of the area, since it is a private property. 

It is only when the owners will donate the lot to the city that they can intervene and help in the rehabilitation activities. Guardo and a city surveyor are still going to conduct a survey on the area to determine how much of the property would be donated to the city.

Once they determine the actual area that needs to be donated, Guardo said he will make a resolution authorizing Osmeña to transact and execute the Deed of Donation, which will be prepared by the City Legal Office.

Otadoy said they asked the government to allow them to still utilize the same parking area for their vehicles.

If they donate all of the land, Otadoy said their vehicles have nowhere to park and they could commit illegal parking.

They have not yet identified how much of their property will be donated to the government, Otadoy said.

“Right now naa na ta’y step to prepare the mitigating measures,” Guardo said.

He added it is up to the executive branch where they would get their funds for the construction of the retaining wall.

“At least sa initial step nato, padulong na ta towards that direction for the safety,” he said.

Guardo also said that business operations of the Mountain View Resort and the Temple of Leah will continue. — Vania Mae Lim (FREEMAN NEWS)