247 houses along rivers, creeks due for demolition

CEBU, Philippines – Some 247 houses built along the creeks and rivers within Cebu City have been identified for demolition by the members of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor.

DWUP chief Danilo Gabiana said the demolition will be done very soon if the owners of these houses will refuse to voluntarily vacate the area.

These houses are located along the rivers and creeks in flood-prone Barangays Cogon Pardo, Tinago, Day-as, Tejero, Basak Pardo, Inayawan, Basak San Nicolas, Sto. Niño, San Roque, Duljo Fatima, Bacayan and Mabolo.

Gabiana said that these structures built along riverbanks pose great danger in the lives of the residents especially during this time of rainy season and the expected La Niña in October.

Gabiana however assured the residents that prior to the demolition the residents will be properly notified through their respective barangay captains.

On Wednesday, councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, head of the city council’s Committee on Infrastructure, is set to meet concerned barangay captains to furnish them a copy of the list of houses that need to be removed so they can inform their constituents ahead.

The mayor will be sending notices to the affected families wherein they will be given 10 days to voluntarily vacate the area upon receipt. Refusal to voluntarily vacate their house will compel the city government to use its demolition team.

Gabiana however said they are still awaiting the mayor’s notices.

The city will not be providing relocation for the residents to avoid encouraging people to put up illegal structures to be later relocated and acquire their own lot.

“Kana dinhang dapita sa una, mga limpyo kaayo na. After lang sa 1992 nga UDHA (Urban Development and Housing Act) nianha na sila diha og sugod. Dili g’yud ta muhatag og relocation. Lisod man na kay illegal man sila. Maka-encourage lang ta og mu-put up og illegal structure para magkayuta sila,” Gabiana said.

The city however is willing to assist them to go back to their home-provinces by providing transportation. Only those living in the province will be assisted. Those who originally live outside Cebu will not be assisted.

Cabarrubias earlier said that there is a need to clear the river banks of houses not only to take them away from danger of flash floods and other untoward incidents but also because it is necessary so the city may start the desilting of rivers.

The city could not bring in desilting equipments to the rivers because these houses are obstructing the passages.

Desilting must be done to improve the drainage system in the whole city because after inspection, the city found out that waterways are heavily silted causing rivers and creeks to immediately overflow every time it rains.

These residents living along the rivers are making the waterways dirty through improper garbage disposal. (THE FREEMAN)