By CESAR JOLITO III
Bacolod City Mayor Greg Gasataya ordered the immediate halt and removal of an illegally built fence that encroached into a creek in Barangay 20, warning that the structure posed both legal violations and a worsening flood risk for nearby households.
Gasataya personally inspected the site at Purok Santol after receiving reports that a fence being constructed by Neo Food Corporation was extending deep into the waterway.
The inspection team found that the structure had no fencing permit, violated the required three-meter easement and blocked nearly half of the creek’s width.
Citing the findings, the mayor issued an on-the-spot cease and desist order (CDO) against the company.
Under the CDO, Neo Food Corporation must stop all construction activities and remove the fencing and related structures at its own expense.
The company is also tasked with restoring the creek to its original state to ensure unimpeded water flow.
“This is not a simple violation. This is an illegal seizure of public property and a direct obstruction of our natural waterways,” Gasataya said, emphasizing that the city “will not tolerate structures that endanger residents and violate environmental laws.”
Barangay 20 Captain Mark Abancio said residents of Purok Tisa and Purok Avocado had experienced aggravated flooding since construction began.
Drone footage reviewed by city engineers showed that the fence extended into the creek bed, with workers reportedly preparing to demolish part of an existing flood wall before authorities intervened.
City Hall said the construction violated the Water Code of the Philippines, which designates creek banks as public property and prohibits structures that obstruct waterways, as well as provisions of the National Building Code.
The city also issued a show-cause order directing the company to explain within 72 hours why administrative, civil or criminal charges should not be pursued against its management.
The city government said the demolition will proceed once the required legal timeframe lapses, stressing that the priority is public safety and the protection of Bacolod’s waterways./CJ, WDJ