The Bacolod City government has given Artemis Salt Corporation 72 hours to remove an illegal structure obstructing a drainage outfall at its Barangay Banago facility.
The order follows an ocular inspection conducted Saturday, July 26, by the City Legal Office Enforcement Team and the City Engineer’s Office, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office said.
Mayor Greg Gasataya, citing the structure’s contribution to flooding in Sta. Clara Subdivision and nearby areas, directed the City Legal Office, headed by lawyer Karol Joseph Chiu, to issue the abatement and removal order.
Chiu emphasized that failure to comply within 72 hours will result in legal action.
“We ordered the management to voluntarily demolish the illegal structure within 72 hours, or else legal action will be pursued for non-compliance,” Chiu said.
City officials believe removing the structure will significantly alleviate flooding in low-lying areas by allowing floodwaters to flow directly to the sea.
“This demolition will be a significant step in addressing the persistent flood problems affecting nearby communities,” Chiu added.
Artemis Salt Corporation, represented by consultant Engineer Marcelo Cobrador, has committed to complying with the order.
Cobrador explained the structure, approximately one meter long and 0.06 meters tall, was intended as a makeshift floodwall to prevent seawater intrusion during high tide.
He said it was meant to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels on both the facility and surrounding communities.
“It was a win-win solution to mitigate the impact of rising sea levels that could potentially damage both the facility and the surrounding communities,” Cobrador said.
The inspection team included City Engineer’s Office Officer-in-Charge Loben Ceballos and retired Police Colonel Levy Pangue, enforcement team leader.
The City Legal Office is set to meet with Artemis Salt Corp’s management on Monday to assess their compliance with the order.*