Illegal structures in Tondaligan finally demolished

By January 28, 2017Business, News

DAGUPAN EYES TOURISM BOOST

ENOUGH is enough.

This was pointed out by City Administrator Farah Decano to the owners of some 100 illegally constructed sheds at the Tondaligan Park that were demolished.

Removed were extended canopies, unsightly and filthy comfort rooms and bathrooms, as well as sari-sari stores attached to the beach sheds, all of which were considered eyesores.

Decano said the government finally decided to reject the pleas of the owners of the illegal structures for another extension of the deadline given for their orderly departure because they always ignored repeated extensions granted them in the past.

The first deadline was set in August but the shed owners sought for a 60-day extension which was granted by Mayor Belen Fernandez. When the deadline lapsed in October, they again asked for extension, which was also granted to allow them to cash in on the expected influx of visitors to the beach during the yuletide season.

But when personnel of the city engineer’s office showed up to finally begin the demolition on January 23, the owners staged a lightning rally to stop the demolition again.

The demolition, personally led by City Engineer Virgina Rosario returned the next day to tear down the structures.

Decano said records of the One-Stop Business Center (OSBC) show that there were 160 shed owners, but only 50 were paying regulatory fees.

“We tolerated them for years but were warned about adding more illegal structures,” Decano said. “But they ignored all the warnings,” she added.

Decano explained that the clearing of the area will pave the way for the overdue rehabilitation of Tondaligan Park, a project being supported by Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia who plans to construct a bay walk area where tourists and visitors can leisurely frolic.

“We are doing this to make Tondaligan Park as a major tourist destination,” she said.

Under the rehab plan of Tondaligan, all visitors will have a full view of the beach water from the road.

Meanwhile, Decano refused to discuss the package assistance that Mayor Belen Fernandez had planned for the affected shed owners before she enplaned for the US to attend a Forum on Best Practices on Federalism and Good Governance.

She said the package has to be approved by the mayor. (Leonardo Micua)

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