Limketkai project ‘illegal,’ got SP nod

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent .

IT was the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) that allowed the construction of a shopping center that covered with concrete a part of the Bitan-ag Creek at the Limketkai center, a move that has been blamed by the environment department for the worsened flooding problem in the area.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Land Management Office (DENR-LMO) called the construction “illegal” even as it blamed the unabated flooding along CM Recto Ave. on illegal structures on top and covering the Bitan-ag Creek and other waterways.

In a three-page document furnished this paper, it was learned that as early as Jan. 20, 2015, DENR land management officer Edna Ferraris has sounded alarm bells. She informed the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) about the “illegal construction” at Limketkai center.

It was the city council during the Emano administration that gave the construction project the go-ahead on two occasions, first in 2008, and then in 2010.

In 2008, the city council approved Ordinance 11059-2008 that authorized Limketkai Sons Inc. to build portions of its elevated shopping concourse crossing over the Bitan-ag Creek at an elevation of 4.5 meters from the ground with an area of approximately 2,284 square meters and service road with an area of approximately 2,094 square meters.

In 2010, the city council then passed Ordinance 11657-2010, giving the green light to the revision of the master site development plan of Limketkai center, covering the construction of the elevated shopping concourse (Shopwise) and concrete cover over portion of Bitan-ag Creek and service road inside Limketkai Center.

Those who approved it were the then councilors Ceasar Ian Acenas, Simeon Licayan, Dante Pajo, Alfonso Goking, Ramon Tabor and Emmanuel Abejuela. It was approved during a session presided by the then councilor Adrian Barba.

A map shows that a commercial complex (Shopwise) was constructed on top of Bitan-ag Creek, and that across the road, the parking area near McDonald’s and Luxe Hotel was covered.

Ferraris pointed out that construction within the legal easement area was illegal, and that it should be demolished.

“The metes and bounds of the illegal construction could only be determined by the proper authority through a conduct of proper survey or relocation,” she said.

The 2015 document also showed Ferraris warning about the obstruction of the main water flow, and draining problems it caused “as shown in the photograph with the construction of walls.”

She said, “This wall construction will cause floods on the property and damage the goods that are stored nearby… No water outlet could be seen going to the canal. This could be detrimental to lives and properties along the neighborhood, most specially to the Puregold establishment that is adjacent to the property of the Tagardas, the Sees and the other properties of Mr. Hong C. See and that even of the Limketkai Development Corporation itself.”

It was learned that a complaint was made at that time by lawyer Viterdo Tagarda against Limketkai Development Corp..