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[av_heading heading=’City mulls legal action vs creek obstruction’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Wednesday, February 22, 2017
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ILOILO City – Dungon Creek in Barangay Taft North, Mandurriao district must be completely cleared of obstruction by March 2.
If not, businessman Ong Ching Leung, also known as Andrew Ong, would be hauled to court, according to City Administrator Hernando Galvez.
In Barangay Desamparados, Jaro district around 40 houses within five meters from the creek experience flooding even during moderate rainfall. Fifteen houses in Barangay Calubihan, Jaro also have the same problem. Residents blamed Ong’s backfilling.
In Mandurriao, 10 houses in Barangay Taft North and eight houses in Barangay Bakhaw experience flooding, too.
An on-site assessment of the city government counted some 365 affected residents.
Galvez said a notice would be sent to Ong and his contractor to comply with the commitment they made on Jan. 31 to remove the obstructions from the Dungon Creek.
March 2 is the last day of the 30-day period given to Ong to remove the obstructions.
Galvez met with representatives of concerned agencies yesterday – Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Public Works and Highways, and City Planning and Development Office.
If Ong remains adamant, Galvez said, the city government will be filing criminal charges and demand payment for damages.
Twenty days after the Jan. 31 meeting with Ong, Galvez said, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office inspected Dungon Creek and found out that “40 percent” of the backfilling was still there.
“There are many violations. Putting obstructions in the creek is already a criminal offense within the purview of our Water Code. If I am not mistaken, the penalty is six years imprisonment,” said Galvez./PN
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