Cases vs DPWH, contractor pushed

OVER MANGROVE DAMAGE

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The Cebu City Council is seeking legal action against the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) over a road project that has reportedly damaged a mangrove area in Barangay Cogon, Pardo.

This move came after a privilege speech delivered by Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera during the council's regular session on Wednesday. The council approved a resolution directing the Cebu City Legal Office to prepare the appropriate legal cases and file them in court.

The council also resolved to request the DPWH to submit the project's environmental impact assessment (EIA) and to participate in an executive session to further deliberate the issue.

Pesquera, who chairs the city’s Tourism Commission, raised concerns about the project's impact on sustainable tourism and mangrove conservation. She said that upon assuming office, her office prioritized environmental sustainability as a key component of Cebu City's tourism development.

“In 2019, we conducted an inventory of all the city’s natural sites, which gave birth to our Coastal Development Tourism project,” Pesquera said. “This included plans for a Mangrove Park and Bird Sanctuary.”

She emphasized the ecological importance of the site, noting that the area is part of a migratory bird route and is rich in mangroves, which stretch from Basak San Nicolas to Inayawan. The proposed park design includes a walkway to allow eco-tourism without disrupting the natural habitat.