Baguio sets demolition of illegal waterway structures

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Notices have been given to constituents in different barangays for the recovery of river and tributaries’ easement, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said in his 100th day report during the city hall flag raising ceremonies last week.

These were issued to owners of structures encroached on waterways in Camp 7 and Brookside barangays based on inspections conducted in the said areas.

We continue to recover the three-meter easement, mayor said. An assessment can be done however if two meters can be considered, depending on the situation.

In an earlier management committee meeting, the issue of ownership for titled residential areas which are uninhabitable due to naturally redirected water flow cropped up.

These it was known, are then considered as public domain.

               Three-meter river easements which are public lands with illegal structures,

 face outright demolition.

                The move is part of the administration’s 15-point agenda in revitalizing the environment, especially river ways, hounded by reports of high Coliform level as measured by the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources.

               A second notice may be given after several days, or if occupants voluntarily demolish their illegal structure.

The City Buildings and Architecture Office, City Environment and Parks Management Office and the City Engineering Office were directed by Mayor Magalong to start the process of removing illegal structures to start at Camp 7 and Brookside barangays. Coordination, however with punong barangays of said barangays should be done.

                A champion team on the protection of rivers, waterways and sewer lines was formed headed by Engr. Stephen Capuyan of the CBAO and composed of personnel from the three offices.

Inspection is systematized and the eviction procedures and will employ due process, CEPMO head Diwas said.

The campaign covers all rivers and their tributaries particularly Sagudin-Balili, Galiano, Bued, and Ambalanga rivers.

               “We aim to revitalize our rivers by sustaining not only the clean-up but also the clearing them of encroachments that contribute to their pollution,” Diwas said.

               He said the easements have to be free of incursions as these will later be used in the expansion and upgrading of its sewerlines.

Apart from Camp 7 and Brookside, target barangays of the clearing will be Gibraltar, Trancoville and others traversed by the rivers and their tributaries where encroachments are rampant.

             The revitalization of the environment is one of the priorities of this administration’s 15-point agenda.