Citom orders demolition: Salinas, B. Rodriguez sidewalks to be cleared

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Hall’s Squatters Prevention Encroachment Elimination Division (SPEED) has been tasked to clear the sidewalks of Salinas Drive in Barangay Lahug and B. Rodriguez Street in front of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

In yesterday’s meeting of the City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) Board, it was agreed that the mentioned sidewalks shall be totally cleared of any obstructions, including stalls of vendors and obstacles.

CITOM chairman Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said the Board was already fed up by the long time delay in the clearing of said areas reportedly because the SPEED personnel are still negotiating with the concerned vendors.

Jakosalem said a barangay official of Sambag II, where B. Rodriguez is situated, explained that there is an existing agreement between the concerned vendors and the officials of the hospital allowing them to occupy the place.

But some members of the CITOM Board said the agreement, granting that it is true, may mean nothing because the hospital is not the owner of the sidewalk.

City Hall had received numerous complaints about the congested sidewalk in front of the VSMMC that the people could no longer use the sidewalk because of the vendors.

The members of the CITOM Board were convinced that the SPEED should be given an “ultimatum” to clear the sidewalks of B. Rodriguez after Jakosalem showed to them a video footage of the area.

In that footage taken by Jakosalem himself, the pedestrians are already walking in the road because it is difficult for them to pass by the sidewalks because of the stalls.

Aside from B. Rodriguez Street, SPEED was also tasked to clear the sidewalks in Salinas Drive, particularly the portion right in front of the main entrance of the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino where food stalls are occupying the sidewalk. (FREEMAN)