Real estate firm threatens to sue Badian town officials for alleged 'inaction'
CEBU CITY – A real estate company has threatened to take legal action against officials of Badian town, southern Cebu for allegedly failing to stop the construction of beach houses in one of the town’s coastal barangays.
Redwood Heritage Landholdings Inc. urged Badian Mayor Carmencita Lumain and Engr. Vincente Jojie Nillas, head of the town’s Office of the Building Official (OBO), to implement the cease-and-desist order that was issued to stop the constructions of beach houses in Barangay Lambug.
A NOTICE shows that the construction of beach houses in Barangay Lambug, Badian has no permits. (Calvin D. Cordova)
On Aug. 19, 2022, Lumain ordered a stop to the construction after the OBO found out that the building of beach houses didn’t have necessary permits. “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 order. Redwood, however, complained that the municipality has yet to stop the construction. Redwood said the alleged disregard of the cease-and- desist order “is most likely brought about by your office’s lack of seriousness to the same and to mandatory provisions of the National Building Code and other regulatory provisions of the Local Government Code.” Some residents and tour guides have signed a petition expressing their opposition to the construction of the beach houses. “Before, we could easily swim in the sea together with our guests. We can also easily dock our boats in the area. Now, security guards are shooing us away. The illegal structures are causing us great inconvenience,” read the petition which was written in Visayan. Noel Aragoncillo, president of the Lambug Tour Guide Association, has said that the construction has deprived tourists from accessing a spot in a certain area in the coastline of Lambug that is a favorite spot of tourists for its picturesque view. “Before, some guests could go to that area for pictorials. It is a great spot because of fine sand and there is also a rock formation which is nice for picture takings. But now the road going there has been blocked because of the construction,” said Aragoncillo. Redwood asked Lumain for the “faithful implementation of the cease-and-desist order, the imposition of fines, and the destruction of these illegal structures constructed within the 40-meter easement zone.” Redwood said it will be “compelled to take the necessary legal actions” if the municipality’s “inaction” continues. Lumain and Nillas were not in their offices when reporters tried to get their reaction on Wednesday, April 26.
A NOTICE shows that the construction of beach houses in Barangay Lambug, Badian has no permits. (Calvin D. Cordova)
On Aug. 19, 2022, Lumain ordered a stop to the construction after the OBO found out that the building of beach houses didn’t have necessary permits. “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 order. Redwood, however, complained that the municipality has yet to stop the construction. Redwood said the alleged disregard of the cease-and- desist order “is most likely brought about by your office’s lack of seriousness to the same and to mandatory provisions of the National Building Code and other regulatory provisions of the Local Government Code.” Some residents and tour guides have signed a petition expressing their opposition to the construction of the beach houses. “Before, we could easily swim in the sea together with our guests. We can also easily dock our boats in the area. Now, security guards are shooing us away. The illegal structures are causing us great inconvenience,” read the petition which was written in Visayan. Noel Aragoncillo, president of the Lambug Tour Guide Association, has said that the construction has deprived tourists from accessing a spot in a certain area in the coastline of Lambug that is a favorite spot of tourists for its picturesque view. “Before, some guests could go to that area for pictorials. It is a great spot because of fine sand and there is also a rock formation which is nice for picture takings. But now the road going there has been blocked because of the construction,” said Aragoncillo. Redwood asked Lumain for the “faithful implementation of the cease-and-desist order, the imposition of fines, and the destruction of these illegal structures constructed within the 40-meter easement zone.” Redwood said it will be “compelled to take the necessary legal actions” if the municipality’s “inaction” continues. Lumain and Nillas were not in their offices when reporters tried to get their reaction on Wednesday, April 26.