The Looc River in Ginatilan town can now have a free flow of water as illegal structures built within the river have been cleared.
This, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Cebu Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro), Quirante Construction, and Ginatilan resort owners Pedro Cabonillas of Fern Valley and Jennifer Singco of Green Villas to Governor Gwen Garcia at the August 23 meeting at the Capitol.
Governor Garcia and Malabuyoc Mayor Edang Piedad gladly welcomed this development, as residents living nearby will no longer fear potential accidents or experience water shortages caused by these man-made barriers.
Moreover, since Brgy. Looc was declared an urban barangay by the DENR, Ginatilan resort owners will have to demolish the remaining structures built alongside the river or within the 3-meter easement. Capitol has given them the time to do the demolition, and once completed, the EO will be lifted and they can continue their operation.
To recall, Capitol intervened in the matter after the municipal council of the southern Cebu town formally endorsed the matter to the governor's attention, requesting Capitol's assistance in its resolution, which resulted in the issuance of Executive Order Number 15 Series of 2023 ordering the two mountain establishments to cease operations until further notice and the demolition of man-made barriers.
Ginatilan Mayor Roy Singco, CPPO POMU Chief PLt Col Rammil Morpos, provincial environment office chief Rodel Bontuyan, PENRO Jose Cleo Colis, as well as provincial legal officer Atty. Donato Villa were present during the meeting. | Babie Jane Revecoy