THE LAPU-LAPU City government started demolishing Wednesday, June 13, some 190 structures along the coastline facing Mandaue City for violation of the three-meter easement zone. Mayor Paz C. Radaza said demolition notices were sent earlier to the owners of the structures, which include boarding houses and pig pens. “We gave them notice already,” Ms. Radaza said, noting that they have accommodated requests for deferment for several months. The mayor explained that clearing needs to be done now as the residents are in a high-risk zone, citing three houses that were destroyed last year because of strong water current. The recent findings of the Environmental Management Bureau-Central Visayas that the water along the coastlines of Lapu-Lapu City has high fecal coliform content also prompted local officials to push through with the demolition. According to City Legal Officer Ethelbert B. Ouano, the affected residents will not receive financial assistance because most of them are only renting the structures. — The Freeman

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR