CEBU CITY – Badian, Cebu Mayor Carmencita Lumain has issued an order stopping the construction of beach cottages in Barangay Lambug.
Lumain issued a cease and desist order (CDO) instructing one Benjamin Martilino Chan to stop their ongoing construction.
“Our records show that no building permit has been issued by the Municipality of Badian, Cebu regarding your said construction. Hence, the same is illegal,” Lumain said in her Aug. 19, 2022 order.
Lumain issued the order based on the recommendation of Engr. Vicente Jojie Nillas, Office of the Building Official (OBO) head.
The Badian mayor gave Chan 10 days “explain and show cause” why the construction should not be permanently disallowed.
Chan has yet to appear before the OBO since the issuance of the order, Nillas disclosed.
Nillas added that were also reports that the construction was “on and off” despite the CDO.
He warned that the municipal government will file necessary charges if the construction continues even after a CDO had been issued.
Nillas said Redwood Heritage Land Holdings Corp. complained against the construction of the beach houses last March. “It seems that they have conflict over boundaries of their respective properties,” said Nillas.
He said that it was found out in their investigation that aside from violating the building code, the construction was also deemed illegal after the structures were built within the 20-meter easement zone.
“The root cause is the violation of NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Areas System) Law. If the structures are built in environment protection area, we cannot issue a building permit,” said Nillas.
Nillas said what the municipal government has done so far is to ensure the stoppage of the construction as a court order is needed to demolish the structures
Located 97 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, Badian is a third-class municipality known for canyoneering activities.