CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City administrator Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez yesterday assured that the city will not evict the more than 2,000 families living along the riverbanks unless relocation sites are already put in place.
Councilor Gerardo Carillo, action officer of the Cebu City Disaster Coordinating Council, said there are about 2,600 structures constructed along the riverbanks and other danger areas in the city’s 35 barangays.
The city has several lots purchased during the term of then mayor Alvin Garcia that could be used as relocation sites. But these properties do not have the basic necessities yet – light, water and roads.
During interview over dyLA, Carillo asked the concerned barangay officials to monitor these families in order for them to be vacated during heavy rains and flooding.
A young girl in barangay Ermita died after she was carried away by water during the heavy downpour last Sunday.
The records at the City Hall showed that barangay Mabolo has 240 structures constructed along the riverbanks of Mahiga Creek, which would usually overflow during heavy downpour.
Other barangays that have houses constructed in danger zones are Pahina-San Nicolas, Lahug, Pahina Central, Banilad, Tinago, Camputhaw, Inayawan, Carreta, Buhisan, Guadalupe and Bulacao.
Carillo said Mayor Tomas Osmeña personally monitored and witnessed the overflowing water along a bridge in Pahina-San Nicolas during heavy rains last Saturday.
It was learned that in barangay Carreta, structures are constructed in the middle of the creek, putting at risk the lives of the settlers.
In the downtown area, flooding along V. Gullas Street that would usually reach knee-deep during heavy rains is caused by overflowing creek that runs under the Gaisano Main.
“Mabaw na man god kaayo ang sapa mao nga kon dunay baha ang tubig mosugwak na ngadto sa mga drainage systems ug adto maglunop sa karsada,” the store maintenance personnel said.
Fernandez said one of the solutions is to build rainwater catchments in upper areas to prevent the water from flooding the downtown area. — Rene U. Borromeo/LPM (THE FREEMAN)