B’gays encroaching on Balili River identified

By Jho Arranz

BAGUIO CITY  -  With the city’s campaign in revitalizing the Balili River, seven barangays in the city of Baguio were found to have encroached within the waterway easement along Sagudin-Balili River System.

Said barangays include North Sanitary Camp, South Sanitary Camp, Happy Homes-Old Lucban, Alfonso Tabora, Trancoville, Magsaysay Private Road and Camdas Subdivision.

Based on the survey conducted by the Balili River Composite Team led by the Department of Public Works and Highways together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Baguio Water District,  Benguet Electric Cooperative, City Engineer’s Office, City Buildings and Architecture Office and City Environment and Parks Management Office, there are 99 structures to have encroached the river with a total area of 5,205 sq. meters  stressed CEPM Officer Cordelia Lacsamana.

Under the provisions of Presidential Decree 1067 also known as the Water Code of the Philippines, defines the waterway easement of three meters from the banks of rivers in urban areas.  While Presidential Decree 296 directs all persons, natural or juridical, to renounce possession and move out of portions or rivers, creeks, esteros, drainage channels and other similar waterways encroached upon by them and prescribing penalty for violation.

Because of this, the Baguio City District Engineering Office will issue notices of non-compliance to PD 296 and PD 1067 to the concerned owners of the structures.

“This is a very tough and challenging job and we have to assess carefully the status of the Balili River.  We have to make the necessary appropriate actions to save the river and our environment for the benefit of our children and our children’s children,” said Mayor Domogan.