Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has ordered the immediate demolition of all abandoned buildings and other structures within easement and foreshore zones in the canyoneering village of Matutinao in the southern town of Badian. The provincial capitol released on Friday Executive Order No. 12, ordering the destruction of structures that have reportedly obstructed and put the residents in the coastal area of this tourism village at risk. Garcia signed the EO on Thursday. 'I… do hereby order immediate demolition of all abandoned, unoccupied, obsolete, or hazardous illegal structures within the defined easement and foreshore zones of Barangay Matutinao, Badian, Cebu,' Garcia said in the order. According to the inventory made by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Badian, these illegal structures are either abandoned, uninhabited, or destroyed during Typhoon Odette which struck the country in December 2021. On Feb. 17, 2023, members of the Municipal Engineering Office (MEO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), and Municipal Tourism Office (MTO) also found metal spikes near the famous Kawasan Falls. The capitol believes that the destruction of illegal structures will also provide protection not only for the environment but also for the residents more than the tourists who would pay a visit to the area. 'The Philippine National Police is called upon to strictly monitor the implementation of this Executive Order,' the governor's order read.
Source: Philippines News Agency