Rama halts CPA construction project due to lack of permit

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama has ordered the Cebu Port Authority to stop construction activities at the back of the National Museum of the Philippines-Cebu.

This amid the lack of a building permit for the construction of CPA's RC Deck Port phase 1 along the port area, said Rama during his regular program thru the city’s Sugboanon channel.

“Ako’ng ipa-undang na. Wa man na’y mga building permit,” Mayor Rama said, adding that he has also noticed the ongoing works from the 9th floor community hall of the Executive building.

Mayor Rama stressed that the lack of permit also shows CPA’s lack of decency and due courtesy to inform or update his office about its projects within the city.

“Mao na’y mga utok nga buringog. Na’ay bag-ong City Hall? Kinsa’y naghatag nila’g building permit?” Mayor Rama added.

Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) head Reymarr Hijara also alerted his fellow department heads about the progress of the said project when he chanced upon the site the other day.

Hijara in an interview with The Freeman said, they are currently collecting information regarding the construction.

Aside from the permits, Hijara in particular is also concerned about its environmental impact.

Hijara said there are many locals who go out fishing in the area and just found out that they have been banned from entering the area, while others’ fishing equipment were reportedly confiscated.

“Dili ni puwede sa ato ing-ani kay dako ni impact sa environment. Unya based sa initial info, wala mga permits,” said Hijara.

Hijara also said they will meet DENR next week to get their position regarding the matter, especially after learning that the said project will go further down the City’s People Park or Plaza sa Katawhan that had its inauguration attended by no less than the Department of Transportation(DOTR) Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Bautista had pledged to support the projects and vision of Mayor Rama.

Last year, Mayor Rama also expressed that CPA’s fencing of the Maritima area said to be for a high-rise building was “condemnable, an affront to the city government” adding the city would “fight for heritage, culture, and environment.”

The Office of Building Official (OBO) ordered CPA on Sept. 28, 2023 to dismantle the fence, which the latter complied.

Last December 2023, the Cebu City Council also expressed their concern over the said CPA project at the back of the NMPCebu with much concern on the latter’s heritage value that might be affected with such project. -