CH, UHRI execs to discuss buildings demolition

CEBU, Philippines —  Officials of the Cebu City government and the Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (UHRI) will meet tomorrow to discuss the demolition of two buildings on Kawit Island at the South Road Properties (SRP) to pave way for the P18-billion project.

Mayor’s Executive Assistant Francisco Fernandez said both parties have to agree on the terms before the Senior Citizen’s Office and the Sugbo Building will be demolished.

“We’re having a meeting with UHRI and the department heads and their contractor this Monday. Mao nay gitawag nga pre-construction conference bahin sa senior citizens ug ang Sugbo Building nga ilang i-replicate,” he said.

The P18 billion integrated resort and casino on the city’s Kawit Island at the SRP will be implemented in two phases.

The first phase would include the construction of commercial or shopping center, integrated resort facility, convention center, performing arts theater, themed park and iconic public art, one hotel, parking lot, and the casino.

For the second phase, UHRI will construct two more hotels on the third and fourth year.

Fernandez said the buildings that will be affected once the construction will be in full swing are those of the Association of Barangay Councils, Senior Citizen, and the Sugbu, all located on Kawit Island where the P18-billion project is eyed to be implemented.

“We will be discussing kanus-a gyud ma-demolish kay naa tay occupants didto. Naa ang SRP office didto, disaster office,” he said.

Fernandez said the agreement included that UHRI will “replicate” the building to another location at no cost to the city government.

Part of the negotiation is if the UHRI will yield to the request of the city government to demolish the buildings on March 2019, he said.

If they will not yield, Fernandez said they will discuss on the replication of the buildings to be demolished.

“The term man gud gigamit sa contract is to replicate para walay dislocation but ang problema ana is how would they relocate dili mana madali og tukod ang building. Kon mosugot sila nga March ang demolition, walay problema.

Pero kon sayuhon ang ipa-vacate kay magsugod na sila sa construction nila, then we will have to discuss the replication of the buildings,” he said.

Office of the Building Official Head Josefa Ylanan said the UHRI has to secure demolition permit from her office.

Ylanan said the office already issued fencing permit to UHRI last month since it is also mandated by law.

“Kailangan ang fencing para walay ma-disgrasya within the construction site kay they will do excavations baya and naay heavy equipment, maong they have to secure the area with the temporary fence,” she told The FREEMAN.

Fernandez said the city’s department heads will also be invited during the meeting with UHRI management on Monday to ensure that necessary permits will be secured. — GAN (FREEMAN)